ummer resorts. Keep my room ready,
and you will find I disturb you little. Of course, hire what servants
are necessary.

"Now, if you make the place self-supporting inside of five years, I will
deed the whole thing to you two. To put it better, if you succeed in
making the farm pay a living for yourselves, I will make it over to you
and withdraw. If you fail--well, I suppose you will be no worse off than
you are now!"

They were stricken speechless. Perhaps my attitude had not pointed to
such a conclusion of our interview. Phillida told me long afterward that
she expected me to bid them good-evening and abandon them forever, as my
mildest course; with alternative possibilities such as summoning a
policeman and having Vere haled to prison. Seeing their condition, I
rose.

"I will stroll about and leave you a chance to talk it over," I
declared; although there are few ordeals I dislike more than displaying
my limp about such public rooms.

Vere stopped me, rising as I rose.

"No need of that, for us," he answered, facing me across the little
table. "About giving us your farm, Mr. Locke, that's for the future!
Just now, the manager's job is plenty big enough to thank you for. I
wish I could say it better. If you'll stay here with Phillida for ten
minutes, until I can get back, I'll be obliged."

"Where are you going?"

"To resign here, and get my outfit into a suitcase."

He had taken up my challenge like a man, at least. There were none of
the hesitations and excuses to stay in town that I had half expected. It
pleased me that he decided for Phil as well as himself. Some of my ideas
about marriage are antiquated, I admit. I nodded to him, and sat down
again.

It is unnecessary to record the childish things Phillida tried to say to
me, while he was gone.

"I am so happy," was her apology for threatened tears. "I never knew
anyone--except Ethan--could be so kind. And--and, will you tell Father
and Mother?"

"Yes." I winced, though, at that prospect. "Give me that little bag you
carry on your wrist."

She obeyed, wide-eyed.

"You do tote a powder-puff. I did not know whether Aunt Caroline
permitted it. Rub it on your nose," I advised, passing the bit of fluff
to her.

While she complied, almost like a normally frivolous girl, I used the
moment to transfer a few banknotes to the bag, so some need might not
find her penniless.

Vere came back in not much more than the promised ten minutes. He had
changed