er, Mr. Braden got down to business at once.
In a few brief but pointed questions he found out all there was to know
about the ranch and the stock, and he skimmed through such papers as
Angus produced, with a practised eye.

"H'm, yes, yes," he said. "Now I think I understand the situation. I
have given the future of you young people the most careful
consideration, because it is for the future that you must now prepare.
Youth is the time of preparation. It is the building time. As we sow in
youth, so we reap in age--huh. Then let us ask what to-day is the great
essential of success? There is but one answer--education. And so it
follows that you young people must receive the best education that your
father's estate can give you; and as Art is long and Time fleeting, as
the poet truly remarks, you young people must enter upon the path of
learning at once."

The young people said nothing. The flow of words bewildered them. Mr.
Braden then got down to brass tacks:

"I will make the necessary arrangements right away," he said. "We will
rent the ranch and sell off some of the stock, and the money will be
used in sending you all to some good school which will fit you for
success in life."

This was definite, concrete, different from generalities. Angus stared
at the executor.

"Rent the ranch!" he exclaimed. "I guess not. I'm going to run it
myself."

Mr. Braden smiled tolerantly. "Your spirit is very creditable, my boy,
but you are too young and inexperienced."

"I'm running it now," Angus told him, "and I'm going to keep on. I won't
stand for having it rented."

"At your age, my boy, you don't know what is best for you. You must
allow me to be the judge."

Youth is hot-headed, and the tongue of youth unruly.

"I will not stand for having the ranch rented," Angus repeated. "I am
going to stay here and work it, and that's all there is to it."

Mr. Braden frowned at this brusque ultimatum. "I have already made
arrangements with Mr. Poole, here, to take it over."

Angus looked at the drooping Mr. Poole and decided that he did not like
him.

"I don't care what you have made," he said bluntly. "Renters rip the
heart out of a ranch. They take everything from the land and put nothing
back; and when they have worked it out they quit. That's not going to
happen here, if I know it."

"You don't know what you're talking about," Mr. Poole observed.

"I think I know more about ranching than you do," Angus retorted.