returned the look apologetically. "Does sound ridiculous, don't
it, Andy? I shouldn't ever 'a' thought of the thing myself, but she says
he kind o' needs me. Keeps askin' for me when the fever is on, and don't
seem to get along much when it lets up. She kind o' thinks if I was
there, it would help him to brace up, somehow, a little."

Andy made no response. The green light was dawning far down in his eye.

Uncle William watched it. "It's jest a sick man's fancy, like enough."

"When you goin'?" said Andy.

"I though 'bout day after to-morrow."

"It'll cost a heap."

"I know it."

"You've got it, I s'pose?" indifferently.

"Some of it," said William.

Andy moved a little farther away. He was very near the edge of the
bench.

Uncle William moved over by him, and laid a hand on his knee. "I was
goin' to ask you to lend me a hunderd, Andy."

Andy wriggled a little. "You don't _hev_ to go," he said feebly.

"If he needs me, I'll have to. I ain't ever been needed much--livin'
alone so. You don't know how 't is. You have somebody to need you.
Harriet needs you--"

"Lord, yes, Harr'et needs me. Don't doubt she needs me this minute--pail
o' water or suthin'." Andrew chuckled gloomily.

"And you hev your chickens, too." Uncle William fixed his glance
placidly on a strutting fowl that had appeared around the corner,
cocking a surprised eye at them. William regarded her thoughtfully.
"When a man's alone, there ain't much he can do for folks," he said
slowly, "except feed Juno night and mornin',--and she catches so many
mice it ain't really wuth while. Now a hen needs to be fed."

"Guess they do," grumbled Andy.

"And a cow," went on Uncle William, "but there--" he checked himself.
"What am I talkin' about? How'd I ever keep a cow? What'd I do with the
milk? I couldn't eat a whole cowful." He sat gazing with far-off eyes at
the glimpse of blue water.

Andy chewed scornfully on a bit of dry grass.

William turned to him suddenly. "We'll go down and draw out the money
to-morrow morning," he said.

Andy chewed anxiously. "I dunno as I can let you have it," he protested.

"Oh, yes, you'll let me. You see I _need_ it, Andy, and I'm goin' to pay
you six per cent. How much do you get at the bank? Not more'n five, do
you?"

"Four and a half," said Andy, grudgingly.

"Four and a half. Well, you see, I give you six. So there's a dollar and
a half clear gain."

Andrew's eyes narrowed to the dollar and a half and f