oore, won into a more
conciliatory frame of mind.

"Ye can mark my words, Mr. Moore, the day is not far distant when young
John Keene'll be the most respected man in the country."

Moore laughed doubtfully as he said, "I hope so," and then hurried out,
for it was past the hour when he should be at work. The day was very
warm, and the sun's rays smote the grey sand of the Monk Road,
reflecting back with trebled intensity. The traffic had ceased
completely, and the quietness of Nancy McVeigh's tavern was
undisturbed. Old Donald lay asleep in the haymow above the barn. Will
Devitt had gone to town early in the morning, and Jennie and Katie
Duncan were over at the cool edge of the lake, which lay a half-mile
down the side road. Nancy was still sitting in the little parlor, but
her knitting had dropped from her fingers, her eyes were closed, and
her head pillowed against the chair-back.

A sudden noise awakened her, and going to the top of the stairs she saw
two ladies hesitating in the entrance, as if they wished to come in but
were somewhat doubtful of their welcome. One she recognized as Miss
Sophia Piper, the housekeeper for James Piper, who owned the big house
down the road; the other was a much younger woman and a stranger.

"Come up to my parlor, ladies," she invited, wondering what meant this
unexpected visit.

"Thank you, Mrs. McVeigh," called Miss Piper, and the two of them
ascended the stairs and took the seats which Nancy pushed into the
middle of the room, dusting them carefully with her apron as she did
so. Miss Piper had shown a kindly feeling to Nancy ever since the
death of her brother Tom, and she addressed the tall, grey-haired woman
before her with a cordiality of manner and a lack of reserve unusual in
her conversations with the commoners of the countryside.

"I hope you are well, Mrs. McVeigh," she began, as she seated herself
comfortably.

"I'm not complainin', miss," Nancy answered.

"I've brought my dear friend Miss Trevor with me because we are both
very anxious to do a little missionary work for the benefit of a mutual
acquaintance whom we are interested in," Miss Piper explained with
winning directness.

"Indade, Miss Piper, an' ye think I can help ye, doubtless."

"Yes, we are sure of it. It's Mr. Keene that we wish to speak about."

"Ye mean young John, of course," Nancy interrupted, as a smile gathered
slowly over her rugged face.

"Young Mr. Keene, yes. I was his Sunday