Davy resignedly. "But that's
what one encounters in making trades, Mr. Logan. You plan out what you
are going to do, only to find out that others also make plans.

"Well, folks," said Davy, picking up the new account book and pad of
checks, "where is that famous restaurant that you've been talking
about? Landy's breakfasts have no stretch in 'em, don't last. I'm
wolfish. Well, good-by, Mister Logan, and good-by, Mister Gore. I hope
we have pleasant relations. Good-by all." And Davy ushered his party
to the street.

Seated in the Little Gem, awaiting service, it was Adine Lough that
opened the conversation. "I hardly know how I am to get home," she
said. "I don't like driving alone, but I certainly don't want to be
found in the company of two heartless comedians who seek to inject
their comedy into staid business transactions. I thought Mr. Logan's
lower jaw would drop off when you fastened the blame of the entire
move on his friend Ugly Collins. I could hardly repress my tears in
your great loss of Maizie's services. I think Mr. Logan was affected
too. Shame on both of you for being so heartless."

"Yes, Logan kinda got his fingers bruised in his own b'ar trap," said
Landy thoughtfully. "I hope his bankin' efforts won't git tangled up
in some of his deep plannin'. Logan will git his bank started all
right; but when this depression lifts en things git goin' Adot will
still need a bank; this one will turn out to be 'Logan's Tradin' Post'
er 'Logan's Deadfall.' Ye can revive a bank by man-made laws, but hit
takes more than a slicker to keep hit goin'. Have you two settled the
hay trade?"

"Yes," said Adine, "you are to have all the stacks and ricks in the
south field. I think Mr. Potter estimated it at near one hundred tons.
You can have the use of one of our trucks for hauling, but you will
probably have to hire help to move it. Our folks have never exchanged
work with the Bar-O. Our help will probably want to wait to see if the
new management is any improvement on the former control." The raillery
of the youngest and happiest of the trio was seemingly lost on the
two, now immersed in heavy responsibilities.

Davy returned to the car; Adine Lough would telephone a school friend
and window shop while Landy went to the hardware store to buy some
needed kitchen accessories as directed in a brief note that he had
crumpled in a deep pocket. Before two o'clock the party was well on
the way to Carter's.

Less than a mon