the land is worthless--the poorest in that part, from what I saw
of it; so my advice is this--let it go, and when Dick is of age he can
have his pick of a dozen fine claims--a hundred, maybe, if the country
opens up fast. Meanwhile, I 'll take over anything of value up
there--Murphy, and the corn, and the plough, and such, at a fair price,
and put the money to the credit of both of you equally. Think of it,
and if you agree, the future is arranged. So, now for the present."

He looked at his wife meaningly, and then back at the fire again.
After a moment he went on slowly and deliberately. "The beauty of it
is," he said, "that the very day before you came to stay with us, I
said to the wife that we had too much room in the house."

There was a faint sound, which might have been either assent or
amazement, from Mrs. Collinson; and Roger, the largest twin, gazed at
his father in open admiration; while the cots, squeezed into the corner
behind the red curtain, took on a reproachful expression.

"And I also said," continued the serene voice, "that my wife wanted
someone to be company in the house and help a little with things, and
that I could do well with another handy youngster for outside work; I
have often," he continued softly, "longed for a daughter, and I don't
mind another son. So, Dick and Stephanie, what do you say? Will you
stay here until you get a place of your own to go to? I shall not be a
loser in the bargain."

Stephanie was crying quietly into the sleeve of the shirt, and Dick
went over to Mr. Collinson. "Sir," he said, choking, "you 're a good
man, and I hope you will never have to regret what you 've done for me.
You know what Steenie is, and need have no fear for her." He spoke
steadily and seriously, unlike himself, while Mrs. Collinson went over
to Stephanie and patted her hand softly.

And so, after some further discussion, it was settled. What else could
Dick and Stephanie do? Even if Mr. Collinson had been one from whom
they would not have received such kindness without a painful sense of
obligation, there was no other opening for them. As it was, they
accepted his offer warmly and gratefully, all the more so for knowing
that they would and could be of use to him and his wife. And his
plain, sensible, hopeful words had touched the dark future with a glow
of rose-colour, which, even before their sorrow, it had lacked.
Already Stephanie saw herself keeping house for Dick in the mids