Tessibel, arrayed in her new dress and slippers, a roll of songs under her arm, stood in the shanty kitchen. Neither Daddy Skinner nor Andy had made any comment when she told them she had really consented to sing at the home of the dwarf's enemy. Now she craved their commendation. A little doubtful, she went to the ladder, and glanced upward. The dwarf was nowhere to be seen.
"Andy," she called softly.
"Huh?" drifted from somewhere above in the darkness.
"Crawl to the hole, dear, an' squint down at my dress."
A little scramble and a face peered down upon her, "Ye been a cryin', Andy," said Tess, a break in her voice. "What ye been a cryin' fer, honey?"
"Seem's if Waldstricker air goin' to take ye away from my pal an' me."
Daddy Skinner gave a grunt with no articulate word in it. Tess whirled around on him and fastened her bright eyes upon her father's bent head.
"Daddy," she began tremulously, "air you an' Andy thinkin' things ye hadn't ought to of Tessibel?"
Skinner shook his head.
"Me an' Andy hates Waldstricker, that air all," he said.
Tess shrugged her shoulders.
"I ain't et up with love fer him uther," she offered in defense, "but Miss Young wanted me to--oh, daddy, why didn't you tell me I couldn't go right at first--"
"Of course, ye be goin'," broke in Daddy Skinner, "but don't ye forgit us, my pretty!"
Tess gurgled in joy. She went to her father's side and gathered the dear head into her arms.
"If that air all what air worryin' ye, then kiss yer brat," said she. "I air goin' to sing an' mebbe I'll only see Waldstricker to speak to 'im. If he says anythin' 'bout Andy--"
"What'll ye tell 'im, kid?" gasped the dwarf.
"Oh, I'll string 'im like I allers does," returned Tess. "Now you're done squallin' like a baby, look at me!"
"Ain't she swell?" enthused Andy. "Orn, have ye looked 'er over?"
"Sure," mumbled the Squatter, "an' she air finer'n silk."
Tessibel hugged her father again, fluttered a kiss from the tips of her fingers to the little man above, and repeating her usual admonition to them, not to talk aloud, she started for Young's with palpitating heart. Deforrest met her as she ascended the front porch. Smiling he took her hand. His eyes expressed his approval of the winsome face and the trim figure in the new dress.
"Prompt as usual," he greeted. "How beautiful you are tonight, my dear!"
The color swept to Tessibel's face in great waves. She loved everything beautiful, the roses, the violets, the blue of the sky! Even the night things were beautiful, too. Did Professor Young think her beautiful like all these wonders? She smiled, her face shining in its mantling crimson. Deforrest took her arm, leading her into the living room, where Helen stood at the table, drawing on a long white glove.