e had cause to
think that a fellow didn't love her. And you bet she can sing. She
brought tears to my eyes, and a woman has to get up early and sing
with the birds before she can do that."

"Did you find out how you stand?" Lyman inquired, smiling at him.

"Oh, yes; that's settled. I know how I stand, and now I've got to find
out how she stands. It takes time, I tell you. I don't want to hurry
her, so I thought I'd wait till tomorrow and go out there and ask her
about it."

"Oh, no, I wouldn't hurry her," said Lyman, laughing. "I'd wait till
noon-time tomorrow, anyway."

"Yes, along about there. What are you laughing at me for? This thing
is serious with me. I went out with her this morning to milk the cows.
Talk about milking." He leaned back and shut his eyes as if to
reproduce the scene. "I don't want to draw any comparisons, old
fellow, but do you suppose Miss Eva could milk? Do you suppose she
could grab a calf and make him feel ashamed of himself?"

"I don't know as to her handling of calves, I'm sure; but I know that
she can throw a light into dark places; that white clover springs up
where she walks; that if she were to sit asleep in a garden the bees
would fight over the sweetness of her lips; that her mind is as fresh,
as full of bright images as a stream of pure water; that her foot as I
saw it upon a rock has grace enough to redeem an awkward world; and
that in comparison with the notes of her voice all earthly music is
flat and dull."

"Lyman, I guess you know where you stand. But have you found out where
she stands? Have you asked her to define her position?"

"Her position defines itself. I am to protect her from the man whose
life I saved last night."

"Yes, I know, but after you have protected her--what then?"

"I am to present her with a certificate of freedom."

"But don't you suppose she'd rather have a partnership than freedom?"

"Not with me. I am something of a novelty to her as a protector, but I
am afraid that to propose a closer relationship would make me appear
commonplace enough."

"Well, you know your own business, and it's not worth while to give
you advice; but you are a strange sort of a contradiction. As a
general thing a fellow that's easy with man is severe with woman, but
you are disposed to let them all get away. They don't get away from
me, I'll give you a pointer on that. By the way, here's a package that
I found here for you. Came by express, pre-paid, mind you. Thi