Says I, I'll make a stake this year--I'd a had twelve thousand in th' bank, if things'd have gone right--and then we'll jest move down around Detroit an' I'll put Lida in school." Thorpe noticed a break in the man's voice, and glancing suddenly toward him was astounded to catch his eyes brimming with tears.

Radway perceived the surprise.
"You know when I left Christmas ?" he asked.
"Yes." "I was gone two weeks, and them two weeks done me.

We was going slow enough before, God knows, but even with the rank weather and all, I think we'd have won out, if we could have held the same gait." Radway paused.

Thorpe was silent.
"The boys thought it was a mighty poor rig, my leaving that way." He paused again in evident expectation of a reply.

Again Thorpe was silent.
"Didn't they ?" Radway insisted.
"Yes, they did," answered Thorpe.
The older man sighed.