Twentyminutesofswallowing，andallaboardforOgden，withyourpile-drivenstomachdumbwithamazement。TheStrasburggooseisnotdietedwithgreatervelocity，and“biscuit-shooter“isagrandword。VerylikelysomeHomeroftherailroadyardsfirstsaidit——forwhatmenuponthepresentearthsospeakwithimagination’stongueasweAmericans？
IfMissPeckhadbeenabiscuit-shooter，Icouldaccountreadilyforherconversation，herequippeddeportment，thematurityinherround，blue，marbleeye。Herabruptlaugh，somethingbeyondgay，wasnowsoundinginresponsetoMr。McLean’slivelysallies，andIfoundhimfanningherintoconvalescencewithhishat。Sheherselfmadebutfewremarks，butallowedthecow-punchertoentertainher，merelyexclaimingbrieflynowandthen，“Ideclare!“and“Ifyouain’t!“Linwasmostcertainlyengaging，ifthatwasthelady’smeaning。Hiswide-openeyessparkleduponher，andhehalfclosedthemnowandthentolookathermoreeffectively。Isupposeshewasworthittohim。IhaveforgottentosaythatshewashandsomeinalargeCalifornia-fruitstyle。Theymadeagood-lookingpairofanimals。
ButitwasinthepresenceofTommythatMasterLinshonemoreenergeticallythanever，andundersuchshiningTommywastransparentlyrestless。Hetried，andfailed，tobringtheconversationhisway，andtooktorearrangingthemailandthefurniture。
“Supper’sready，“hesaid，atlength。“Comerightin，MissPeck；rightinhere。Thisisyourseat——thisone，please。Nowyoucanseemyfieldsoutofthewindow。“
“Yousithere，“saidthebiscuit-shootertoLin；andthusshewasbetweenthem。“Them’selegant!“shepresentlyexclaimedtoTommy。“Didyoucook’em？“