clared
Mr. Churchouse; "but I shall not hesitate to employ the wisdom of the
serpent--if the olive branch of the dove fails to meet the situation. I
trust, however, more to Estelle than myself. She is nearer Abel in point
of time, and it is very difficult to bridge a great gulf of years. We
old men talk in another language than the young use, and the scenery
that fills their eyes--why, it has already vanished beneath our
horizons. Narrowing vision too often begets narrowing sympathies and we
depress youth as much as youth puzzles us."

"True, Ernest," said Miss Ironsyde. "Have you noticed how a natural
instinct makes the young long to escape from the presence of age? The
young breathe more freely out of sight of grey heads."

"And the grey heads survive their absence without difficulty," confessed
Mr. Churchouse. "But we are a tonic to each other. They help us to see,
Jenny, and we must help them to feel."

"Abel shall help us to see his point of view, and we'll help him to feel
who his best friends are," promised Estelle.

Raymond had astonished Bridport and staggered Bridetown with a wondrous
invention. The automobile was born, and since it appealed very directly
to him, he had acquired one of the first of the new vehicles at some
cost, and not only did he engage a skilled mechanic to drive it, but
himself devoted time and pains to mastering the machine. He believed in
it very stoutly, and held that in time to come it must bulk as a most
important industrial factor. Already he predicted motor traction on a
large scale, while yet the invention was little more than a new toy for
the wealthy.

And now this car served a useful purpose and Mr. Churchouse, in some
fear and trembling, ventured a first ride. Estelle accompanied him and
together they drove through the pleasant lands where Dorset meets Devon,
to Knapp Farm under Knapp Copse, midway between Colyton and Ottery St.
Mary, on a streamlet tributary of the Sid.

Mr. Churchouse was amazed and bewildered at this new experience;
Estelle, who had already enjoyed some long rides, supported him, lulled
his anxieties and saw that he kept warm.

Soon they sighted the ridge which gave Knapp its name, and presently met
Abel, who knew that they were coming. He stood on the tumuli at the top
of the knoll and awaited them with interest. His master, from first
enthusiasms, now spoke indifferently of him, declared him an average
boy, and cared not whether they took him, or l