find its way to the deepest hole there is,
and we dig a well so as to give it a deep hole to go to in the place
where we want it. But you can't expect the water to come to that hole
just the very day it's finished. Of course you will get some, because
it's right there in the neighborhood, but there is always a lot more
that will come if you give it time. It's got to make little channels
and passages for itself, and of course it takes time to do that. It's
like settling up a new country. Only a few pioneers come at first, and
you have to wait for the population to flow in. This being a dry
season, and the water in the ground a little sluggish on that account,
it was a good while finding out where your well was. If I had happened
along when you was talking about a well, I think I should have said to
you that I knew a proverb which would about fit your case, and that is:
`Let well enough alone.'"

I felt like taking this good man by the hand, but I did not. I only
told him to go ahead and do everything that was proper.

The next morning, as I was going to the well, I saw Phineas Colwell
coming down the lane and Mrs. Betty Perch coming up it. I did not wish
them to question me, so I stepped behind some bushes. When they met
they stopped.

"Upon my word!" exclaimed Mrs. Betty, "if he isn't going to work again
on that everlasting well! If he's got so much money he don't know what
to do with it, I could tell him that there's people in this world, and
not far away either, who would be the better for some of it. It's a
sin and a shame and an abomination. Do you believe, Mr. Colwell, that
there is the least chance in the world of his ever getting water enough
out of that well to shave himself with?"

"Mrs. Perch," said Phineas, "it ain't no use talking about that well.
It ain't no use, and it never can be no use, because it's in the wrong
place. If he ever pumps water out of that well into his house I'll
do--"

"What will you do?" asked Mr. Barnet, who just then appeared from the
recesses of the engine-house.

"I'll do anything on this earth that you choose to name," said Phineas.
"I am safe, whatever it is."

"Well, then," said Mr. Barnet, knocking the ashes from his pipe
preparatory to filling it again, "will you marry Mrs. Perch?"

Phineas laughed. "Yes," he said. "I promised I would do anything, and
I'll promise that."

"A slim chance for me," said Mrs. Betty, "even if I'd have you." And
she march