e Bernard's cleverness for granted. He has a bitter
humor and the thing may only be an old man's caprice."

She went off and when soon afterwards the party began to break up
Bernard gave Jim a cigar in the hall.

"I note that you and your young relations are already friends," he
said. "Dick's a fine lad; he's generous and honest, although I doubt
if he will go far. Evelyn, of course, has no rival in this
neighborhood."

"That hardly needs stating," Jim replied.

Bernard twinkled and his glance rested on a beautiful painted vase.
"Your taste is artistic; it looks as if you had an eye for color and
line. In a sense, Evelyn is like this ornament. She's made of choice
stuff; costly but fragile. Common clay stands rude jars best."

Jim was puzzled and half-annoyed, because he could not tell what
Bernard meant; but the latter began to talk about something else.

"You were a miner for a time, I think," he presently remarked. "One
would expect you to know gold when you see it."

"It's sometimes difficult," said Jim. "As a rule, gold is pure. It
doesn't form chemical alloys, but it's often _mixed_ with other
substances."

"So that the uninstructed pass it by!" Bernard rejoined. "One might
make an epigram of that, but perhaps it would be cheap. Well, I must
wish the others good night. I hope you'll come back soon and bring
your friends."

Jim put his party in the car and drove off, feeling strangely
satisfied. Evelyn had been gracious and although he did not altogether
understand Bernard he liked him better than he had thought.

CHAPTER V

SHANKS' DABBIN

Shortly after his visit to Dryholm, Jim returned, one morning, from the
market town, where he had gone to see his lawyer and banker. When he
reached Langrigg he found Jake on the terrace.

"Doing nothing makes me tired," the latter remarked. "I know you want
to keep us, and mother and Carrie like it here, but we can't stay for
good."

"Your mother and sister can stay until they have had enough, and I hope
that won't be soon; but I know you, Jake, and think you're mean.
Anyhow, you can get rid of your scruples, because I'm going to give you
a job. I've decided to drain the marsh."

"Labor's cheap in this country, but I reckon it's some job. However,
now there's something doing----"

"You'll stay and see me out?" Jim suggested. "Thank you, partner!
Doesn't seem much use in stating that what is mine is yours, but I wish
you'd get it. A