"I guess so. Well, you never can tell what a man may do. You form your
idea of him and find out afterwards that it was all wrong. But it would
be a cold day when I'd kill myself for anybody. I hear you're goin' to
have a sale at your house."

"Yes, I don't care to stay here any longer."

"Every man to his own taste, but you can't find a puttier country. I
guess this community right here ships more milk that any section along
the road. But they say that when a man once lives away out in the West
he always has a likin' for it. Well, I'll be over there on the day of
the sale."

Milford sold all of his belongings, with the exception of some tools, a
cow, and a loft full of cattle-feed which he gave to the hired man. He
was not quite ready to go, but would remain a few days and perhaps a
week longer. He was waiting for a letter, and he searched the newspapers
every day. Mrs. Stuvic demanded that he should spend the remaining time
at her house. She was sorry to lose him. She had confessed that she was
half afraid of him, and this feeling had endeared him to her.

"What makes you grab after the newspaper so?" she asked one morning, in
the dining-room.

"I want to know the news."

"No, you don't; there's somethin' else. You've sold all your stuff and
can't be interested in the markets."

"I am looking for Western news. I want to keep track of a certain man."

"Who was that letter from you got this mornin'?"

"From her."

"Where is she?"

"In the city."

"Has she quit her school?"

"She's given it up as a failure."

"Then you'll be goin' to town soon."

"To-morrow morning. I see by the paper that my man is there."

"Plague take your man and your woman too. Why can't you stay here and
behave yourself? I do hate mightily to see you go. Why don't you say you
hate to go?"

"Because I don't. I have worked in order to be able to go."

"What do you want to see the man for? You never have told me anythin'
about yourself, and here you are, goin' away. What do you want with
him?"

"Want to tell him I'm well, and ask him how's all."

"Oh, you'll do. Fainted at the grave," she said, after a moment's
silence. "Yes, I know all about such faintin'. They can't fool me, Bill.
It's been tried too often. Fainted at the thought of gettin' that ten
thousand dollars, and I wish to the Lord I had half of it. I'd faint
too; yes, you bet!"

Early the next morning he bade the old woman good-bye. She scolded him,
with tear