ed forward from the shoulders loosely, and his face had the
patient, dull expression of a faithful, but none too fine breed, dog.

"Where are you going, Mark?" The girl turned.

"'Long o' you, Janet. I've--I've got t' say somethin'!"

"Oh! please don't, Mark. I've been hearing things since sun-up, and
you've been in the Light all night. You are in no condition to say
things."

"Yes: I be, too, Janet. I always feel keener after a night awake. Since
I've sot up in the Light I've been considerable spryer, or maybe it's
you!"

Janet heaved a sigh. "Mark," she pleaded, "there isn't an earthly thing
you can say that I want to hear this morning. I'm going to the Hills on
business, and I must be as calm as I can!"

"It's them Hills, as has made me come t' the p'int. Them Hills is
bristlin' with city folks, men an' women! I've heard what you're aimin'
at. Goin' up t' the Hills t' get a job of some sort! Yer innercint, an'
yer a gal, Janet, an' I'm a man an' I've spent six months in the city
an' I know its ways, an' I know men! Yer too good lookin', Janet, t' mix
up with what's on the Hills."

The mixture of foolishness and wisdom, the effort to protect in
man-fashion what was weak, moved Janet strangely.

"Mark," she faltered, "you need not be afraid. I know I do not
understand, and that helps. If I thought I did, there might be danger.
It's just the same as if I were James B. going up there to
peddle--well--clams! You need not fear a bit more for me than for
him."

Mark gazed stupidly at the glowing face.

"I guess I must love you!" he said at last. "Things come kinder slow t'
me. I was allus one t' drift 'long with the tide; but when I plump int'
a rock I get some jarred, same as others. I went t' the city that time
t' see if I could get my bearin's at a distance; but when I come back I
sorter lost the channel an' took agin t' driftin'. But this here Hills
business has livened me up considerable. Did you ever think what I left
Pa fur an' went t' the city, Janet?"

"I thought you wanted to see the world, Mark."

"Well, I didn't. Quinton is world 'nough fur me. I went t' see if I
could git, off there alone, a proper sense of jest what I did want. I
wanted t' choose a course fur myself, independent of Pa, but save us! I
hankered arter Pa so, an' I came nigh t' perishin' fur his cookin'. I
come nigher, though, t' perishin' frum tryin' t' get somethin' like it
once, while I was away!" A gleam of thin humor crossed th