self, and opening his hand, let the
fragments float away on the current.

"Let us go back," he said quietly.

During the whole of the way he did not speak.

Grampierre was waiting for them in the big kitchen.

"I will now give you my answer," said Ambrose.

"Well?" said the old man eagerly.

"It is only a partial answer. I agree to purchase enough of your grain
at one-seventy-five to see you all through the winter; and I agree to
bring a stock of goods here to supply your necessities."

Simon warmly grasped his hand. "It is well!" he cried. "I expected no
more."

"I will return to Moultrie to-morrow," Ambrose went on in his dull,
quiet way. "I will consult with my partner, and if we can finance it,
we will buy all your grain."

"Tole shall go with you," said Simon. "You can send him back to me
with a letter."

Ambrose went to bed, and slept without dreaming. Nature is merciful.
After a certain point of suffering has been passed, she administers an
anesthetic.

Next morning Ambrose transacted his business with Simon, and prepared
for the journey, to all appearances his usual matter-of-fact self.

Only Job perceived the subtle change in his master. The faithful brown
eyes continually sought Ambrose's face, and the ridiculous curly tail
was agitated in vain to induce a smile.

On the afternoon of the sixth day following, Ambrose and Tole landed at
Moultrie. Nothing was changed there. The sight of Peter's honest red
face was like balm to Ambrose's sore heart.

Seeing Ambrose, the remnants of Peter's anger evaporated like mist in
the sun. He clapped his young partner on the back until the other's
lungs rang.

Peter's blue eyes beamed with honest gladness, meanwhile he uttered
loud abuse in his own style.

"So you're back, damn you! You ornery little whipper-snapper! To
sneak off from working like a breed after you feed him! I was hoping
I'd never lay eyes on you again. But here you are to plague me!"

Ambrose smiled sheepishly, and gripped his hand.

Peter sent Tole off to Eva to be fed, while he went with Ambrose to the
latter's little shack. Ambrose looked around his own place curiously.
It was like another man's house now. He had lost the old self who used
to live here.

"What's happened to you?" asked Peter with an offhand air.

"Why do you ask?" said Ambrose quickly. He hated to think it was all
written in his face.

"You look older," said Peter. "I don't see you grinning