conversation.

"And so you have been talking it over with Jed," observed Ruth.
"Isn't it odd how we all go to him when we are in trouble or need
advice or anything? I always do and Charlie did, and you say that
you do, too."

Maud nodded. "He and I have been what Pa calls 'chummies' ever
since I can remember," she said simply.

"I don't know why I feel that I can confide in him to such an
extent. Somehow I always have. And, do you know, his advice is
almost always good? If I had taken it from the first we might, all
of us, have avoided a deal of trouble. I have cause to think of
Jed Winslow as something sure and safe and trustworthy. Like a
nice, kindly old watch dog, you know. A queer one and a funny one,
but awfully nice. Babbie idolizes him."

Maud nodded again. She was regarding her companion with an odd
expression.

"And when I think," continued Ruth, "of how he was willing to
sacrifice his character and his honor and even to risk losing your
father's friendship--how he proclaimed himself a thief to save
Charlie! When I think of that I scarcely know whether to laugh or
cry. I want to do both, of course. It was perfectly
characteristic and perfectly adorable--and so absolutely absurd. I
love him for it, and as yet I haven't dared thank him for fear I
shall cry again, as I did when Captain Hunniwell told us. Yet,
when I think of his declaring he took the money to buy a suit of
clothes, I feel like laughing. Oh, he IS a dear, isn't he?"

Now, ordinarily, Maud would have found nothing in this speech to
arouse resentment. There was the very slight, and in this case
quite unintentional, note of patronage in it that every one used
when referring to Jed Winslow. She herself almost invariably used
that note when speaking of him or even to him. But now her
emotions were so deeply stirred and the memories of her recent
interview with Jed, of his understanding and his sympathy, were so
vivid. And, too, she had just had that glimpse into his most
secret soul. So her tone, as she replied to Ruth's speech, was
almost sharp.

"He didn't do it for Charlie," she declared. "That is, of course
he did, but that wasn't the real reason."

"Why, what do you mean?"

"Don't you know what I mean? Don't you really know?"

"Why, of course I don't. What ARE you talking about? Didn't do it
for Charlie? Didn't say that he was a thief and give your father
his own money, do you mean? Do you mean he didn't