seen with his own eyes every
detail of his forest domain. Only when this tour of inspection with
Holcomb was over did he lead Billy back into the living hall of his
new house. His manner, after the hearty greeting given him on his
arrival, had lapsed into one of mute enthusiasm. His delight had more
than convinced Billy of his approval. Now that they were alone in the
living hall, he turned suddenly, faced his superintendent and held out
both his hands to him.

"Thank you," was all he could manage to say, wringing Billy's hands
heartily.

"Come, my boy, draw up a chair. That fire feels good--think of
it--even in August. Oh, if you only knew how glad I am to get here!"
He rubbed the palms of his hands together with satisfaction. "What a
place it is, what a place, Billy! And to find everything far better
than I ever dreamed it would be."

"I'm glad you're satisfied," was Holcomb's simple reply.

The housemaid appeared with a silver tray.

"Ah, there's our toddy!" exclaimed Thayor. "Thank you, Mary; you may
put it between us. Bring us that little low table in the corner." As
the girl busied herself in arranging the table Thayor paused to look
about him.

The square room, with its low, heavily beamed ceiling and walls of
birch, stained to a rich sienna, glistening in fresh spar varnish; the
fire licking up the throat of the wide chimney-piece built of rough
boulders from the bed of Big Shanty; the floor laid with rare rugs;
the easy chairs and shaded lights--all gave to this living room a
charm that none in the house of marble possessed. This artistic
result was due to the personal supervision and good taste of the same
architect who had designed the house of marble. Fortunately Alice
Thayor had taken no interest in it.

"Excellent!" exclaimed Thayor, as he poured the hot water into Billy's
temperate portion of Scotch. "The bedrooms are a delight. I'm glad to
see the gun-room paved in brick--muddy boots cannot do any harm there;
it will wash as clean as a stable."

"It has been the expense I have worried over," ventured Holcomb, as
the two settled back in their chair. "The vouchers I was obliged to
send you last month, I mean--wasn't the plumber's bill putting the
screws on a little tight?"

"Nonsense!" returned Thayor, smiling, "you don't seem to realize,
Billy, that had it not been for your honesty and good will and the
faithful help of our friends. Skinner and Holt, Big Shanty would have
cost me twice as mu