astures was covered with one third of its value in incumbrances. If the
interest was hard to meet now, what would it be three years hence? She had
come to understand that the man she had married was not a farmer. She
helped him lower the long pipe into the well, and watched him try the pump
handle to see if the sucker would work. It was slow in drawing, and she
filled a small pail from the trough and poured it into the pump head.
After a few sputtering strokes the water began to come freely, and then
she had to wait for the pumping to stop before she could make herself
heard above its rumblings.

John Hunter knew perfectly well that Elizabeth was waiting and prolonged
the work till the great trough was full. When it began to overflow and
there was no further need for drawing water, he turned abruptly toward the
gate where the cattle were. Elizabeth had waited in the frosty air till
she was chilled from standing and could not remain for the stock to drink
before she had a chance to go to the house.

"I want to talk to you before those cattle come out here," she said, more
hurt by his avoidance of her now than she had been by the original
deception; he was really ignoring her as a factor in their mutual affairs.
"I have to protest against this mortgage, John. We ought to keep a small
home free at least, and instead of putting more on this eighty we ought to
sell enough of the stuff to pay off on this part. Every farmer in this
country has his nose on the interest grindstone, and my life has been
spoiled with it ever since I can remember. Please, dear, let's not put a
second mortgage on this eighty."

In her anxiety to get John's attention Elizabeth went forward and put her
hand on his arm, forgetting in her earnestness the slight he had just
shown toward her in ignoring her claims to a voice in the matter.

John Hunter shook off the detaining hand impatiently.

"If you're going to run this business you may as well do it without my
help and I'll quit," he said, his body braced away from her with the plain
intimation that he preferred that she should not touch him.

Elizabeth hesitated. Her impulse was to turn and leave him without further
words, but the farm, their future comfort, the whole scheme of family
peace and harmony depended upon obtaining a hearing.

"I don't want to run things--really, I do not. I've never tried to, but
I've lived on a farm, and I know how impossible it is ever to raise a
mortgage if you g