The man, a tall, gaunt, middle-aged farmer, nodded, struggled to speak, then hastily bent over a brass cuspidor and spat. That necessary act performed, he eyed Sally with a keen, speculative gaze. His lean face was tanned to the color and texture of brown leather, against which a coating of talcum powder, applied after a close shave of his black beard, showed ludicrously.
"Yes, mum, that's the girl, all right. Seen her when I was here last June. Wouldn't let me have her then, mum, you may recollect."
Mrs. Stone smiled graciously. "Yes, I remember, Mr. Carson, and I was very sorry to disappoint you, but we have an unbreakable rule here not to board out one of our dear little girls until she is sixteen years old. Sally was sixteen last week, and now that school is out, I see no reason why she shouldn't make her home with your family for the summer--or longer if you like. The law doesn't compel us to send the girls to school after they are sixteen, you know."
"Yes'm, I've looked into the law," the farmer admitted. Then he turned his shrewd, screwed-up black eyes upon Sally again. "Strong, healthy girl, I reckon? No sickness, no bad faults, willing to work for her board and keep?"
He rose, lifting his great length in sections, and slouched over to the girl who still cowered against the door. His big-knuckled brown hands fastened on her forearms, and when she shrank from his touch he nodded with satisfaction. "Good big muscles, even if she is a skinny little runt. I always say these skinny, wiry little women can beat the fat ones all hollow."
"Sally is strong and she's marvelous with children. We've never had a better worker than Sally, and since she's been raised in the Home, she's used to work, Mr. Carson, although no one could say we are not good to our girls. I'm sure you'll find her a willing helper on the farm. Did your wife come into town with you this afternoon?"
"Her? In berry-picking time?" Mr. Carson was plainly amazed. "No, mum, I come in alone. My daughter's laid up today with a summer cold, or she'd be in with me, nagging me for money for her finery. But you know how girls are, mum. Now, seeing as how my wife's near crazy with work, what with the field hands to feed and all, and my daughter laid up with a cold, I'd like to take this girl here along with me. You know me, mum. Reckon I don't have to wait to be investigated no more."