l Jim returned from the marsh and found Mrs. Winter in the
hall. There was nobody else about, and he thought the hall looked
lonely. He was tired after a day's hard work and sat down in an
easy-chair when Mrs. Winter asked if he would like some tea.

"I'll wait until Carrie comes," he said. "Jake ought to have brought
her back by now. The house feels empty when they're not here."

Mrs. Winter mused. Although Jim had rather unwillingly agreed when
Evelyn insisted that nobody should be told about their engagement, he
took much for granted when he imagined that nobody knew. Mrs. Winter
was not deceived by his silence and knew that Carrie understood.

"When do you reckon you'll finish the dykes, Jim?" she asked presently.

"I don't know," he said. "It looks like a long job and money's getting
short. Anyhow, I have got to put it over, because I can't stand for
losing the sum I've already spent. But why do you ask?"

"Because we must go back when you have no more use for Jake."

"Oh," said Jim, smiling, "I'll always have some use for Jake, and
Langrigg wouldn't be the same if he took you away. You and Carrie make
the old house feel like home."

Mrs. Winter felt troubled. Jim was obviously sincere, and she had
liked him from the beginning. She had been happy at Langrigg; after
the strain of hard work and poverty, it was nice to rest and control
the well-ordered English household. Carrie, too, had been happy, but
Mrs. Winter imagined she was not happy now. Although the girl had grit
and would play her part well, Mrs. Winter did not mean to let her wait
for Jim's wedding.

"You know we can't stay very long," she said.

"I don't see why it's impossible."

"You may get married."

"Well?" said Jim. "Suppose I do? There's plenty of room at Langrigg
and my wife would be kind to my friends when she knew how much I owe
them."

"The plan wouldn't work. When you marry, your wife will have first
claim on you. I reckon she'll have all the claim there is and won't
want to share it with anybody else."

Jim frowned. Perhaps Mrs. Winter was justified. Now he came to think
of it, he had once or twice got a hint that Evelyn did not altogether
understand his friendship for Carrie.

"I hate to think of your going," he declared. "Anyhow, you must stay
for some time yet. Jake promised to help me finish the draining
scheme, and I may go broke. Then I'd need him more."

He got up and was silent for a few moment