He sauntered in with a Mexican corn-husk cigarette between his lips, carrying a lantern; blew the light out, and sat down with a careless greeting, as though he had seen us only the day before.

[Illustration: Corn-husk broom ]

But instead of this he questioned her father sharply when their corn-husk mattresses had been put before either side of the fireplace for the night.

Ants and ground squirrels were getting ready for their summer work, rubbing their benumbed limbs, and sunning themselves on the husk-piles before their doors, and spiders were busy mending their old webs, or weaving new ones.

" José's fingers fumbled the little corn-husk wrapping for the cigarette he meant to make.