t Sadie turned her head and then got up and stood by her
father's chair. Her look was strained but resolute as she put her hand
on his arm.

"I know all that! Bob has plenty of faults, but he's the man I love."

Keller took and pressed her hand. He had some misgivings, but he knew
his daughter.

"We all like Charnock, and though I wouldn't trust him far, I can trust
you. I think you've got that right and won't forget. Very well, since
you want Charnock I'll get him for you."

Sadie stooped and kissed him and then went out. She was moved, but there
was nothing to be said. Her father was not a sentimentalist, but he had
never failed her and would not do so now. When she sat down in her room,
however, her face was grave. Her courage was high, but she felt
half afraid. Although she loved Bob Charnock, life with him might be
difficult. He was older than she and knew much more, but she must lead
him and be firm where he was weak. It was a hard task for an ignorant
girl, but she resolved to carry it out.

Next morning Keller went down the street and entered a wooden building
filled with gaudily painted mowers and plows. He was not the man to
waste time when he had made a plan, and moreover felt that he had not
much time to lose. Finding the implement dealer in his office, he sat
down, breathing rather hard.

"You don't look very spry this morning," the dealer remarked.

"I don't feel so bright. The boys have been rushing me the last week or
two. Say, trade is booming now!"

"It surely is. I could sell more machines than I've got, but I've got
a lot of money standing out, and after the bad harvest last fall, don't
know who to trust."

They compared notes about their customers, and presently the dealer
remarked: "Charnock was in a few days ago, asking about a new wagon, a
mower, and some small tools."

"Ah!" said Keller, rather sharply. "Then it looks as if he meant to hold
on! He reckoned, not long since, that he'd have to quit. But what did
you tell him?"

"To come again. I'd like to keep Bob Charnock up, but guess it's
dangerous. Owes me a pile. How does he stand with you?"

Keller supplied the information, and the other looked thoughtful.
"Didn't know it was quite so bad as that. I allow I'd better not let him
have the goods."

"Well, I reckon he's trying the new man at Concord. Smith said he met
him there yesterday."

The dealer frowned. He hated to think of a customer going to somebody
else. In fact, thi