s clear he can come to us. And you--I'm sorry you have decided to go
in with Conkwright, for I wanted you to come with Alf."

"I will come. Nothing shall stand in the way. Mr. Jucklin, have you
noticed----"

"Yes, I've noticed everything. And it's all right. And Susan has noticed
everything and it's all right with her. There never was a prouder human
than Guinea, sir; the old General's pride is rain water compared to
her'n. And she's got an idee in her head--I don't exactly understand it,
but she's got it there and we'll have to let her keep it till she wants
to throw it aside. I was over to the General's before sun up this
mornin'. He swore that he wouldn't take the money, but I left it under a
brick-bat on the gate post and come away. Well, everything is settled,
and all I can say now is, God bless you."

We were silent at breakfast, and we dared not look at one another. A
wagon came rattling through the gate, and Parker shouted that he was
ready. No one had said a word, but the old man struck the table with his
fist and exclaimed: "I insist on everybody showin' common sense. I don't
want anybody to speak to me. I'll fight in a minit. Git in that wagon
without a word. Hush, now."

I wanted to lead Guinea to the wagon, to feel again her dependence upon
me, but she pretended to be looking away when I attempted to take her
hand, and so she walked on alone; but I helped her into the vehicle, and
I kissed her hand when she took hold of the seat. She gave me a quick
look and a smile; and the wagon rolled away. I stood on the log step,
watching it, and as it was slowly sinking beyond the hill I saw the
flutter of a handkerchief.

I went up to my room and sat down, sad that I had seen her going away
from me, yet happy to know that she had left her heart in my keeping.
But the foolishness of this separation struck me with a force that had
been lacking until now, and for a time I felt toward the old man a
hardness that not even a keen appreciation of his kindness and his
drollery could soften. Gradually, however, the truth came to me that Alf
had drawn the plan, and with my arms stretched out toward the hill-top
that had slowly arisen between me and the fluttering handkerchief I
foolishly apologized to the old man. I did more foolish things than
that; I improvised a hymn and sang it to Guinea--a chant that, no doubt,
would have been immeasurably funny to the cold-hearted and the sane, but
it brought the tears to my eyes an