d. A certain smoldering fire, long
with difficulty suppressed, began to flame in spite of him.

"Bring me out a plate," said he, bitterly, "and let me eat on the
gallery. As you say, I am only a claim agent. Good God, man!" And then
of a sudden his wrath arose still higher. His own hand made a swift
motion. "Give me back that check," he said, and his extended hand
presented a weapon held steady as though supported by the limb of a
tree. "You didn't give me a fair show."

"Well, by the eternal," half-whispered Colonel Calvin Blount to himself.
"Ain't he a fightin' chicken?"

"Give it to me," demanded Eddring; and the other, astounded, humbled,
reached into his pocket and produced the paper.

"I will give it to you, boy," said he, soberly, "and twenty like it, if
you'll forget all this and come into my house."

"I will not, sir," said Eddring. "This was business, and you made it
personal."

"Oh, business!" said Blount.

"Sir," said John Eddring, "the world never understands when a fellow has
to choose between being a business man and a gentleman. I can't afford
to be a gentleman--"

"And you are so much one, my son," said Calvin Blount, grimly, "that you
won't do anything but what you know is right. My friend, I won't ask you
in again, not any more, right now. But when you can, come again, sir,
some day. When you come right easy and pleasant, my son, why, you know I
want you."

John Eddring's hard-set jaw relaxed, trembled, and he dared not commit
himself to speech. With a straight look into Colonel Blount's eyes, he
half turned away, and passed on down the path, Blount looking after him
more than half-yearningly.

So intent, indeed, was the latter in his gaze upon the receding figure
that he did not hear the swift rush of light feet on the gallery, nor
turn until Miss Lady stood before him. The girl swept him a deep
curtsey, spreading out the skirt of her biscuit-colored gown in mocking
deference of posture.

"Please, Mr. Colonel," said she, "since he can't hear the dinner-bell,
would he be good enough to tell whether or not he will come in and eat?
Everything is growing cold; and I made the biscuits."

Calvin Blount put out his hand, and a softer shade came upon his face.
"Oh, it is you, Miss Lady, is it?" said he. "Yes, I'm back home again.
And you made the biscuits, eh?"

"I called to you several times," said Miss Lady. "Who is that gentleman
you are staring at? Why doesn't he come in and eat with us?