It struck her as curious that she should feel so
sure of this; but she admitted that it was the case.

Sitting in the driving-seat of a big machine that ripped broad furrows
through the crackling sod, he was approaching them. Four horses plodded
wearily in front of the giant plow until he thrust one hand over, and
there was a rattle and clanking as he swung them and the machine around
beside the wagon. Then he got down, and stood smiling up at Agatha with
his soft hat in his hand and the sunlight falling full upon his
weather-darkened face. It was not a particularly striking face, but
there was something in it, a hint of restrained force and steadfastness,
she thought, which Gregory's did not possess, and for a moment or two
she watched him covertly.

He wore an old blue shirt, open at the throat and belted into trousers
of blue duck, and she noticed the fine symmetry of his spare figure. The
absence of any superfluous flesh struck her as in keeping with her view
of his character. The man was well-endowed physically; but apart from
the strong vitality that was expressed in every line of his pose he
looked clean, as she vaguely described it to herself. There was an
indefinable something about him that was apparently born of a simple,
healthful life spent in determined labor in the open air. It became
plainer, as she remembered other men upon whom the mark of the beast was
unmistakably set. Mrs. Hastings broke the silence.

"Well," she said, "we have driven over as we promised. I've no doubt you
will give us supper, but we'll go on and sit with Mrs. Nansen in the
meanwhile. I expect you're too busy to talk to us."

Wyllard laughed, and it occurred to Agatha that his laugh was wholesome
as well as pleasant.

"I generally am busy," he admitted. "These horses have been at it since
sun-up, and they're rather played out now. I'll talk to you as long as
you will let me after supper, which will soon be ready."

Agatha noticed that though the near horse's coat was foul with dust and
sweat he laid his brown hand upon it, and it seemed to her that the
gentleness with which he did it was very suggestive.

Mrs. Hastings, who had been scrutinizing the field, asked, "What's to be
the result of all this plowing if we have harvest frost or the market
goes against you?"

"Quite a big deficit," answered Wyllard cheerfully.

"And that doesn't cause you any anxiety?"

"I'll have had some amusement for my money."

Mrs. Hastings t