poets. Wordsworth! Wordsworth! And so, good-night."

The hired man came into the kitchen. "Wan't that the Professor shoutin'
out there?" he asked.

"Yes, the poor old man has just come home, crushed."

"Didn't find no market, then, for his book?"

"No. He brought it back with him. And, by the way, his life insurance
will soon be due, and I must pay it for him."

"Don't he owe you for one?"

"That makes no difference. I must help him. The world ought to help him,
but he is laughed at by you clods."

"Bill, don't call me a clod. I don't own enough dirt to be called a
clod."

"That's all right, Bob. I don't mean you. What day of the month is
this?"

"Second, ain't it?"

"I asked you."

"Then I guess it's the second."

"His insurance will be due on the ninth. Bob, early in the morning you
go over to Antioch and tell old Bryson that he may have those calves at
the price he offered."

"Yes, but I don't think it's enough, Bill."

"Can't help it. I've got to raise money enough for that poor old
fellow."

Before breakfast the next morning Milford hastened to the Professor's
house. Mrs. Dolihide heard him unchaining the gate, and came out upon
the veranda. He did not care to go in; he dreaded to look again upon
that blasted countenance. "Good morning, madam. I wish you'd tell the
Professor not to worry over his insurance. Tell him I'll make it all
right."

"I will when he comes home. I expected him last night, but he didn't get
back."

"What----" But he checked himself. An alarm had arisen in his breast,
but he would not spread it. He muttered something and turned away,
leaving her to gaze after him in wonderment. A man came running down the
road. Milford stopped him, and he stood panting until he could gather
breath enough for his story. It was brief. The Professor's body had been
taken from the lake. At daylight he had come down to the shore and had
shoved out in a boat. A man warned him against the tumbling ice, for the
wind was fresh. He had a rod, and said that he was going to fish. The
man told him that the fish would not bite. He said that they would bite
for him. Out beyond the dead rushes where the water was deep the boat
tipped over. It looked like an accident--the ice. There were no means
of rescue, and so he drowned. The man was excited, and could not say for
certain, but he thought that the Professor had cried out, "Warmer than
the world!"

CHAPTER XXVIII.

CONCLUSION.

The neigh