It's a middling bad
farm place--rocks and berry bushes. I wouldn't reckon much would be
content there."
David walked out through the open doorway and stood on the small
covered portico, that with a bench on each side, hung to the face of
the dwelling. The stars were brightening in the sky above the confining
mountain walls; there was a tremendous shrilling of frogs; the faint
clamor of a sheep bell. He was absolutely, irresponsibly happy. He
wished the time would hurry when he'd be big and strong like Allen, and
get out into the absorbing stir of the world.
II
He was dimly roused by Allen's departure in the beginning brightness of
the following morning. The road over which the stage ran drew by the
rim of the farm; and later David saw the rigid three-seated surrey, the
leather mail bags strapped in the rear, trotted by under the swinging
whip of his brother. He heard the faint sharp bark of Rocket, Allen's
dog, braced at his side.
David spent the day with his father, repairing the fencing of the
middle field, swinging a mall and digging post holes; and at evening
his arms ached. But he assured himself he was not tired; any brother of
Allen's couldn't give in before such insignificant effort. When Hunter
Kinemon turned back toward house and supper David made a wide circle,
ostensibly to see whether there was rock salt enough out for the
cattle, but in reality to express his superabundant youth, staying
qualities and unquenchable vivid interest in every foot of the valley.
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