is own.

"We'll be back to dinner, Mother," he said. "Heave ahead, Al, if you're
ready."

There was little conversation between the pair during the half mile
walk to the office and yards of "Z. Snow and Co., Lumber and Builders'
Hardware." Only once did the captain offer a remark. That was just as
they came out by the big posts at the entrance to the driveway. Then he
said:

"Al, I don't want you to get the idea from what happened at the table
just now--that foolishness about Rachel Ellis--that your grandmother
ain't a sensible woman. She is, and there's no better one on earth.
Don't let that fact slip your mind."

Albert, somewhat startled by the abruptness of the observation, looked
up in surprise. He found the gray eyes looking down at him.

"I noticed you lookin' at her," went on his grandfather, "as if you was
kind of wonderin' whether to laugh at her or pity her. You needn't
do either. She's kind-hearted and that makes her put up with Rachel's
silliness. Then, besides, Rachel herself is common sense and practical
nine-tenths of the time. It's always a good idea, son, to sail one
v'yage along with a person before you decide whether to class 'em as A.
B. or just roustabout."

The blood rushed to the boy's face. He felt guilty and the feeling made
him angrier than ever.

"I don't see why," he burst out, indignantly, "you should say I was
laughing at--at Mrs. Snow--"

"At your grandmother."

"Well--yes--at my grandmother. I don't see why you should say that. I
wasn't."

"Wasn't you? Good! I'm glad of it. I wouldn't, anyhow. She's liable to
be about the best friend you'll have in this world."

To Albert's mind flashed the addition: "Better than you, that means,"
but he kept it to himself.

The lumber yards were on a spur track not very far from the railway
station where he had spent that miserable half hour the previous
evening. The darkness then had prevented his seeing them. Not that he
would have been greatly interested if he had seen them, nor was he
more interested now, although his grandfather took him on a personally
conducted tour between the piles of spruce and pine and hemlock and
pointed out which was which and added further details. "Those are two by
fours," he said. Or, "Those are larger joist, different sizes." "This is
good, clear stock, as good a lot of white pine as we've got hold of for
a long spell." He gave particulars concerning the "handiest way to drive
a team" to one or the othe