not broken for a whim. If you don't go, she'll come.
Then, when you patch up your affairs and go sailing away together, where
does my girl come in?"

"I am a lawyer, Mrs. Comstock," said Philip. "It appeals to me as
beneath your ordinary sense of justice to decide a case without hearing
the evidence. It is due me that you hear me first."

"Hear your side!" flashed Mrs. Comstock. "I'd a heap sight rather hear
the girl!"

"I wish to my soul that you had heard and seen her last night, Mrs.
Comstock," said Ammon. "Then, my way would be clear. I never even
thought of coming here to-day. I'll admit I would have come in time, but
not for many months. My father sent me."

"Your father sent you! Why?"

"Father, mother, and Polly were present last night. They, and all
my friends, saw me insulted and disgraced in the worst exhibition of
uncontrolled temper any of us ever witnessed. All of them knew it was
the end. Father liked what I had told him of Elnora, and he advised me
to come here, so I came. If she does not want me, I can leave instantly,
but, oh I hoped she would understand!"

"You people are not splitting wood," called Elnora.

"Oh yes we are!" answered Mrs. Comstock. "You set out the things
for biscuit, and lay the table." She turned again to Philip. "I know
considerable about your father," she said. "I have met your Uncle's
family frequently this winter. I've heard your Aunt Anna say that she
didn't at all like Miss Carr, and that she and all your family secretly
hoped that something would happen to prevent your marrying her. That
chimes right in with your saying that your father sent you here. I guess
you better speak your piece."

Philip gave his version of the previous night.

"Do you believe me?" he finished.

"Yes," said Mrs. Comstock.

"May I stay?"

"Oh, it looks all right for you, but what about her?"

"Nothing, so far as I am concerned. Her plans were all made to start to
Europe to-day. I suspect she is on the way by this time. Elnora is very
sensible, Mrs. Comstock. Hadn't you better let her decide this?"

"The final decision rests with her, of course," admitted Mrs. Comstock.
"But look you one thing! She's all I have. As Solomon says, 'she is the
one child, the only child of her mother.' I've suffered enough in this
world that I fight against any suffering which threatens her. So far
as I know you've always been a man, and you may stay. But if you bring
tears and heartache to her, don't ha