Theodore Goodridge Roberts

“ Thereupon, Deblore reshouldered his load, and barged by old Ruben, brushing him aside. I followed. The hall was narrow and dark, and musty. We ascended the narrow staircase, each step of which was soft with dust. The handrail was slender and of mahogany. There was light at the top, from the open door of a front room; I followed Tom into this room; and he immediately deposited his load on the floor and shut the door.
"We live mostly in the wing," he said. "It's warmer—but this'll be warm enough from now on till winter. You can make a fire if you ever feel chilly." ”

“ His whiskers moved convulsively and his eyes flamed. "We're not popular; and if I turned that old fool out, there's no saying what might happen. He pretends a claim on me, because Henry married his daughter."
At that moment, something scratched at the door. Tom stepped over and opened it; and the big tawny dog stalked into the room. Tom closed the door and came back and shook my hand warmly.
"This is a good man, you see," he said, addressing the dog. "Good friend, Lion. You take care of him, d'y 'understand?" ”

“ What's fer puddin', Tom?"
"If it was poisoned figs with arsenic sauce, you'd be welcome to every spoonful of it," said Deblore.
"Thanky, thanky," returned Glashner. "Dried apples is reel healthy, even if we do have 'em every day. The squaw ain't much on variety. But as I was sayin'——"
Amy Bear entered with a large steamed pudding, which she deposited before Tom. Its filling was of dried apples; but old Ruben accepted a large helping of it, slathered it thickly with butter and brown sugar and didn't resume his story until his plate was polished. He sighed and leaned back in his chair. ”