194 WITH THE U. S. NATURALISTS 



Shan halted, half-way to the table, his prints in 

 his hand. 



"Don't you want to see them?" he asked. 



"Ain't no use my botherin' about 'em," the old 

 man answered; "I don't hold with no such fool- 

 ishness." 



Shan was prepared for a criticism but not for 

 this rebuff. He was so proud of his prints, and 

 now — 



Just as he was turning away. Bull looked up. 

 Shan's features, as usual, were expressionless, but 

 there was a dejection in his attitude that struck 

 the old man, who was fond of the boy. 



"Ain't pinin' over it, are yoT' 



"N-no!" answered Shan, with an attempt to 

 appear indifferent. 



But — his first photographs, his very first! 



"Well," said his uncle, carelessly, "bring 'em 

 here if yo' want to. I'll look at 'em, just to please 

 yo'." 



Shan turned leadenly. He had been bursting 

 with eagerness and happiness all through break- 

 fast. Now, his pleasure was all gone. 



"Here it is," he said, and laid one of the prints 

 beside the table. 



Tilting his chair back and loaning on one side so 



