A
dozen women were seated about the room, and instantly their eyes
were glued upon him. As the kitchen door swung open he saw
Easter's mother bending over the fireplace, a table already heavily
laden, and several women bustling about it. Above his head he
heard laughter, a hurried tramping of feet, and occasional cries of
surprise and delight. He paused at the threshold, hardly knowing
what to do, and when he turned a titter from one corner showed
that his embarrassment was seen. On the porch he was seized by Easter's father, who drew him back into the room. The old mountaineer's face was flushed, and he had been drinking
heavily.
Oh, hyar ye air! " he exclaimed. "You're right on hand, hain't ye?
Hyar, Bill," he called, thrusting his head out of the door, "you "n'
Jim 'n' Milt come in hyar." Three awkward young mountaineers
entered. "These fellers air goin' to help ye."
They were to be his ushers. Clayton shook hands with them
gravely.
Oh, we air about ready fer ye, 'n' we air only waitin' fer Sherd and
the folks to come," continued the mountaineer, jubilantly, winking
significantly at Clayton and his attendants, who stood about him at
the fireplace. Clayton shook his head firmly, but the rest followed
Hicks, who turned at the door and repeated the invitation with a
frowning face.
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