"That's right. Go on."

"I was just goin' to ask you if you thought Charlie was cal'latin'
to ask her. I ain't so sure that he is."

He told of Charles' recent visit to the windmill shop and the young
man's query concerning the making of a decision. She listened
anxiously.

"But don't you think that means that he was wondering whether or
not he should ask her?" she said.

"No. That is, I don't think it's sartin sure it means that. I
rather had the notion it might mean he was figgerin' whether or not
to go straight to Sam and make a clean breast of it."

"You mean tell--tell everything?"

"Yes, all about the--the business at Middleford. I do honestly
believe that's what the boy's got on his mind to do. It ain't very
surprisin' that he backs and fills some before that mind's made up.
See what it might mean to him: it might mean the loss of his
prospects here and his place in the bank and, more'n everything
else, losin' Maud. It's some decision to make. If I had to make
it I-- Well, I don't know."

She put her hand to her eyes. "The POOR boy," she said, under her
breath. "But, Jed, DO you think that is the decision he referred
to? And why hasn't he said a word to me, his own sister, about it?
I'm sure he loves me."

"Sartin he does, and that's just it, as I see it. It ain't his own
hopes and prospects alone that are all wrapped up in this thing,
it's yours--and Babbie's. He's troubled about what'll happen to
you. That's why he hasn't asked your advice, I believe."

They were both silent for a moment. Then she said, pleadingly,
"Oh, Jed, it is up to you and me, isn't it? What shall we do?"

It was the "we" in this sentence which thrilled. If she had bade
him put his neck in front of the handsaw just then Jed would have
obeyed, and smilingly have pulled the lever which set the machine
in motion. But the question, nevertheless, was a staggerer.

"W-e-e-ll," he admitted, "I--I hardly know what to say, I will give
in. To be right down honest--and the Lord knows I hate to say it--
it wouldn't do for a minute to let those two young folks get
engaged--to say nothin' of gettin' married--with this thing between
'em. It wouldn't be fair to her, nor to Sam--no, nor to him or
you, either. You see that, don't you?" he begged. "You know I
don't say it for any reason but just--just for the best interests
of all hands. You know that, don't you--Ruth?"

"Of course, of course. But what then?"

"