ife is up in this
region. Some day more of the big doctors will shut down on drugs and
give Nature a try."

"Umph!" Jude shook himself. "Put a log on," he commanded Joyce. Then:
"He preached a durned mess of nonsense the last time he was visiting
us," he continued. "I didn't have any inclination to take his guff
myself, but I don't half like the idee, now that I've slept on it, of
his coming in here as a disturbing element, so to speak. Living and
minding your business, is one thing; interfering with other folks'
business is another. Filmer, he told me a time back that he ain't had a
comfortable spree since that young feller was here. He sort of upset
Jock's stomach with his gab. The women, too, was considerable taken with
him--he's the sort that makes fool women take notice. It ain't pleasant
to think of that sissy-boy actually setting up housekeeping here, and
reflecting upon old established ways, with any tommy-rot about clearing
trails and such foolishness."

Joyce smiled. So that thought rankled in more lives than her own?

"Going to retire from the contractorship, Jude?" Gaston got up and
crossed the room for his coat and hat.

"Not much!" Jude rose also. "Only beginning right is half the battle,
and I say for one, and Tate he was saying the same this morning, that
we'd better stamp out any upraisings in the start, now that it's likely
to be a staying on, 'stead of a visit. When I select a teacher," Jude
was following his guest to the outer door, "I ain't going to take up
with no white-livered infant. See you to-morrow, Mr. Gaston?"

"Oh, certainly. Good night, Jude. Good night, Joyce." Gaston looked back
at the little figure by the fire, and he saw that the upturned eyes were
fixed on the Madonna and Child.

"Why don't you speak, Joyce? Mr. Gaston is saying good night." Jude's
words reached where Gaston's had failed. The girl rose stiffly.

"Good night," she said slowly, and a great weariness was in her face.

When Jude returned she still stood in the middle of the room, her hands
hanging limply by her side.

Something had gone out from her life with Gaston's going. But she was
still thrilled and her soul was sensitive to impressions.

"What's up?"

Jude came close to her and stared boldly into the large, tired eyes.

"Nothing, Jude."

"You ain't so spry as when--there's company."

"It's late--you've had a nap. I'm dead tired."

"That's it," Jude laughed coarsely. "I've slept and kept out of
mi