To this Miss Cordelia took her way , surrounded by her small passengers , and they all trooped into the great farmhouse yard just as a big man stepped out of a nearby barn . As he approached , Miss Cordelia thought she had never seen anybody so much like an incarnate smile before . Smiles of all kinds seemed literally to riot over his ruddy face and in and out of his eyes and around the corners of his mouth . `` Well , well , well ! '' he said , when he came near enough to be heard . `` Is this a runaway school , ma'am ? '' `` I 'm the runaway schoolma'am , '' responded Miss Cordelia with a twinkle . `` And these are a lot of factory children I 've brought out for a Saturday treat . I thought I might get some water from your well , and maybe you will lend us a tin dipper or two ? '' `` Water ? Tut , tut ! '' said the big man , with three distinct smiles on his face . `` Milk 's the thing , ma'am -- milk . I 'll tell my housekeeper to bring some out . And all of you come over to the lawn and make yourselves at home . Bless you , ma'am , I 'm fond of children . My name is Smiles , ma'am -- Abraham Smiles . '' `` It suits you , '' said Miss Cordelia emphatically , before she thought , and then blushed rosy-red over her bluntness . Mr. Smiles laughed . `` Yes , I guess I always have an everlasting grin on .
Had XXXXX live up to my name , you see , in spite of my naturally cantankerous disposition ; But come this way , ma'am , I can see the hunger sticking out of those youngsters ' eyes .
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