Loyal to the bone to Jimmy, loving
each hair on the head of Mary Malone, and she worn and neglected;
the problem was heartbreaking in any solution he attempted, and he
felt none too well himself. He arose hastily, muttering something
about getting the work done. He brought in wood and water, and
asked if there was anything more he could do.
"Sure!" said Mary, in a calm, even voice. "Go to the barn, and
shovel manure for Jimmy Malone, and do all the work he shirks,
before you do anything for yoursilf."
Dannie always had admitted that he did not understand women, but he
understood a plain danger signal, and he almost ran from the cabin.
In the fear that Mary might think he had heeded her hasty words, he
went to his own barn first, just to show her that he did not do
Jimmy's work. The flies and mosquitoes were so bad he kept his
horses stabled through the day, and turned them to pasture at
night. So their stalls were to be cleaned, and he set to work. When
he had finished his own barn, as he had nothing else to do, he went
on to Jimmy's. He had finished the stalls, and was sweeping when he
heard a sound at the back door, and turning saw Jimmy clinging to
the casing, unable to stand longer. Dannie sprang to him, and
helped him inside. Jimmy sank to the floor. Dannie caught up
several empty grain sacks, folded them, and pushed them under
Jimmy's head for a pillow.
"Dannish, didsh shay y'r nash'nal flowerish wash shisle?" asked Jimmy.
"Yes," said Dannie, lifting the heavy auburn head to smooth the
folds from the sacks.
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