ThehouseoftheMcKinstrysrose，orratherstretched，itselfbeforehim，inallthelazyungainlinessofSouthwesternarchitecture。Acollectionoftemporarymake-shiftsofboards，oflogs，ofcanvas，prematurelydecayed，andinsomeinstancesabandonedforanewererection，ordegradedtomereouthouses——itpresentedwithsingularfranknessthenomadicandtentativedispositionofitsfounder。Ithadbeenrepairedwithoutbeingimproved；itsadditionshadseemedonlytoextenditsprimitiveuglinessoveralargerspace。Itsroofswereroughlyshingledorrudelyboardedandbattened，andtheraftersofsomeofits\"lean-
to’s\"weresimplycoveredwithtarredcanvas。Asiftosettleanydoubtoftheimpossibilityofthisheterogeneousmassevertakinguponitselfanypicturesquecombination，asmallbuildingofcorrugatediron，transportedinsectionsfromsomeremoterlocality，hadbeensetupinitscentre。TheMcKinstryranchhadlongbeenaneyesoretothemaster：eventhatmorninghehadbeenmutelywonderingfromwhatconvolutionofthathideouschrysalisthebrightbutterflyCressyhademerged。Itwaswitharenewalofthiscuriositythathehadjustseenherflutterbacktoitagain。
Ayellowdogwhohadobservedhimhesitatingindoubtwhereheshouldenter，hereyawned，rosefromthesunlightwherehehadbeenblinking，approachedthemasterwithlanguidpoliteness，andthenturnedtowardstheironbuildingasifshowinghimtheway。Mr。
Fordfollowedhimcautiously，painfullyconsciousthathishypocriticalcanineintroducerwasonlyavailinghimselfofanopportunitytogainingressintothehouse，andwasleadinghimasaresponsibleaccomplicetoprobableexposureanddisgrace。Hisexpectationwasquicklyrealized：alazilyquerulous，feminineoutcry，withthewords，\"Yer’sthatdarnedhoundagin！\"camefromanadjacentroom，andhisexposedandabashedcompanionswiftlyretreatedpasthimintotheroadagain。Mr。Fordfoundhimselfaloneinaplainly-furnishedsitting-roomconfrontingtheopendoorleadingtoanotherapartmentatwhichthefigureofawoman，precededhastilybyathrowndishcloth，hadjustappeared。ItwasMrs。McKinstry；hersleeveswererolledupoverherredbutstillshapelyarms，andasshestoodtherewipingthemonherapron，withherelbowsadvanced，andherclosedhandsraisedalternatelyintheair，therewasanoddpugilisticsuggestioninherattitude。Itwasnotlessenedonhersuddendiscoveryofthemasterbyherretreatingbackwardswithherhandsupandherelbowsstillwellforwardasifwarilyretiringtoanimaginary\"corner。\"
Mr。Fordatoncetactfullysteppedbackfromthedoorway。\"Ibegyourpardon，\"hesaid，delicatelyaddressingtheoppositewall，\"butIfoundthedooropenandIfollowedthedog。\"