At the sound of his voice Mrs. Crittenden looked away from Vincentquickly and looked at him for a perceptible moment before she heardwhat he had said. Then she explained, smiling, "Oh, she would objectvery much to being labeled with the finicky title of 'lady.' That was Toucl6our queer old Indian woman, - all that is left of old America here. Shebelongs to our house, or perhaps I should say it belongs to her. She wasborn here, a million years ago, more or less, when there were still a fewbasket-making Indians left in the valley. Her father and mother both died,and she was brought up by the old Great-uncle Crittenden's family. Thenmy husband's Uncle Burton inherited the house and brought his bridehere, and Toucl6 just stayed on. She always makes herself useful enoughto pay for her food and lodging. And when his wife died an elderlywoman, Toucl6 still just stayed on, till he died, and then she went right onstaying here in the empty house, till my husband and I got here. We weremarried in Rome, and made the long trip here without stopping at all. ……