s, set off here and
there by a tuft of dandelion that had escaped the watchful eye of Mr.
Sam. The stone wall of the barnyard was almost hidden by the hollyhocks;
they were a pretty sight, Mary thought; she did admire hollyhocks.

The vast dog, who had been lying on the door-step, rose slowly, shook
himself elaborately, pricked his ears, and looked down the road.

"What is it, Rover?" asked Mary Sands. "Do you feel good this mornin',
same as I do? What you lookin' at? Somebody comin' along the road? So
there is! It can't be Cousin Sam back again; he hasn't been gone but an
hour. Why--can it--it surely is Mr. Parks!"

Involuntarily her hand went up to the smooth ripples of her brown hair;
unconsciously she glanced down at her fresh print dress and blue apron.

"I wish't I'd had me a white apron!" she said. "But there! he'll have to
take me as he finds me. Workin' time ain't perkin' time, as Gran'm'ther
used to say. Good mornin', Mr. Parks! isn't this a pretty day?"

"Good mornin' to you, Miss Hands!" said Calvin Parks as he drove up to
the door. "It is a pretty day, and everything to match, far as I can
see. And the prettiest thing I've seen this mornin' is you," he added,
but not aloud.

"I was lookin' at them hollyhocks," said Mary. "See 'em down by the wall
yonder? Ain't they handsome? Them pink and white ones look to me like
girls, slim young ones all ready to bob a curtsey. I don't know but
you'll think it foolish, but I'm always seein' likenesses between
flowers and folks."

"Be you?" said Calvin. "That's a pretty idee now. I believe women folks
have pretty idees right along; it must be real agreeable. Now when I see
a hollyhock there ain't nothin' to it but hollyhock--except the cheese!"
he added meditatively. "I used to think a sight of hollyhock cheese when
I was a youngster."

"So did I!" cried Mary with her tinkling laugh. "But aren't you comin'
in, Mr. Parks? Do light down! Cousin Sam's gone to market, but Cousin
Sim'll be real pleased to see you. He's been feelin' slim for two or
three days."

"That so?" said Calvin. "Well, I didn't know as I should stop, more'n
just to pass the time o' day, but if he's feelin' slim--" he threw the
reins on the horse's neck and clambered out of the wagon.

"Hossy'll be glad to rest a spell, won't you, hossy?"

"He looks real clever!" said Mary. "I should think he'd be pleasant to
ride behind."

"You try it some day and see!" said Calvin. "He's the cleverest hor