And it was well that the strata of Everett’s enthusiasm lay near the surface and was easily workable, for in the next half-hour there was a great demand of continuous output.  Mrs. Butter stood switching her tail and chewing at a wisp of hay with an air of triumphant pride tinged with mild surprise as she turned occasionally to glance at the offspring huddled against her side and found eight wobbly legs instead of the four her former experiences had led her to expect, and felt two little nuzzling noses instead of one.

“Which one do you guess was the surprise calf to her, Rose Mamie?” demanded the General.

“Shoo!” said Tobe in answer to the General’s question.  “Old Butter have had them two calfs to purpose, boy and girl, one to keep and one to kill.  She got mixed about whether Mr. Tuck keeps heifers or bulls and jest had both kinds so as to keep one sure.”

“Well, Aunt Viney read in her book of a place they kills girls and keeps boys.  At this place they jest gits it mixed up with the cows and it’s no use to tell ’em,” answered the General in a disgusted tone of voice, and with a stem glance at Uncle Tucker, as he and Tobe passed on over to the feed-room door, to lead the way to the display of the little turks and cheeps for Everett’s further edification.

And just as the introductions were all completed two deep notes of the mellow old farm bell sounded over the hill in a hospitable and reverent summons to prayers and breakfast ensuing.  On the instant two pairs of pink heels were shown to the company as Stonie and Tobe raced up the walk, which were quickly followed by Uncle Tucker, intent on being on hand promptly for the assembling of his household.  More slowly Rose Mary and Everett followed, walking side by side along the narrow path.

“Rose Mary, have you let me sleep through such exciting scenes as this every morning for a month?” demanded Everett quizzically.  “What time do you get up—­or is it that the sun waits for your summons or—­”

“No, not my summons—­old lame Shanghi’s.  I believe he is of French extraction from his elaborate manner with the hens,” answered Rose Mary, quickly applying his plagiarized compliment.  “Let’s hurry or I’ll be late for prayers.  Would you like—­will you come in to-day, as you are already up?” The color rose in Rose Mary’s cheeks up under her long lashes and she gave him just one shy glance that had a tinge of roguishness in it.

“Thank you, I—­I would like to.  That is, if I may—­if I won’t be in the way or—­or—­or—­will you hold my hand so I won’t go wrong?” he finished in laughing confusion as the color came under the tan of his cheeks to match that in hers and the young look lay for a moment in his eyes.  “It’ll be my debut at family worship,” he added quickly to cover his confusion.

“Don’t worry, Uncle Tucker leads it,” answered Rose Mary as they ascended the front steps and came across the front porch to the doorway of the wide hall, which was the living-room, as well as the artery of the Briars.