was not
surprised that Cromwell, handsome as he was, and brilliant
intellectually, as he was proving himself to be, should overlook old
times and old friends. Present times, and cares, and neighbors, would,
of course, engage him to the neglect of what was past and gone.

'Prospering as usual!' said Harry, 'How do you manage it, August? for I
am going to launch out into the world, and I can't expect to succeed
more suddenly than you have.'

August answered, taking the praise as if it were well meant, and he knew
it was well earned:

'By sticking to a thing, when I have made up my mind it is best. It's
the only way I know of, Harry. I thought, from all I had heard, that you
had found that out.'

'Don't trust report. I've done little yet to satisfy a man; got a few
prizes; what do you suppose I care for them?'

'You care for what they mean to other folks,' said Scheffer.

'Not much, I assure you. A little praise, like music, is pleasant. But a
man can't live on sound. Show me your seven-league boots, Scheffer; I'm
going to take a stroll around the world.'

'What do you mean?' asked Scheffer, without moving.

'I'm going over the ocean.'

'India rubber soles?' asked Scheffer, again speaking in his quietest
manner, but really feeling great excitement.

Cromwell laughed. 'I suppose they have iron-bound boots, even in Paris;
but I thought I'd like to take something out of your shop with me;
something of your own make, if possible. Do you know, Scheffer, you've
had more to do with me, a vast deal, than you ever supposed? I've had
the feeling that you were watching me as often as ever I got into lazy
ways, just as if you stood by that window and searched me out across the
grounds, no matter where I was lurking. I shall take my time when I am
well rid of you. But I'll have the boots for a token; and when I am
tired and sick of my work, as I shall be a hundred times, I'll pretend
that you put some magic into the soles. Give them to me with a strong
squeak.'

Cromwell laughed, but he was at least two thirds in earnest.

Still August did not stir. 'Are you really going away?' he asked.

'If I'm a live man, next week.'

'Going to France?'

'To France. To Paris for one year. In five years I shall be home again,
and I mean to bring with me two or three cabinets of minerals, worth
thousands of dollars apiece.'

Cromwell's eyes flashed; they fell on Scheffer, who stood silent,
motionless, a cold shiver running over hi