ur neighbors
know one has to stay with one's work."

"Bob finds time to go about with his wife."

"He does," said Festing dryly. "Driving about is easier than farming,
and Bob has no scruples about living on his wife's money. I expect that
was his object when he married her. There's another thing I forgot; he's
coming to-night."

"He and Sadie have been at the house some time."

Festing made a sign of resignation. "I could stand the others better.
They know what we may have to face, but nothing bothers Bob, and it's
hard to play up to his confounded cheerfulness when you're not in the
mood. Then I suppose I've got to put on different clothes?"

Helen forced a smile. When they first came to the homestead, Stephen
had changed his clothes for supper and afterwards devoted himself to her
amusement, sometimes playing chess, and sometimes listening while she
sang. Then, as the days got longer, he had gradually grown careless,
contenting himself with changing his jacket and half an hour's talk,
until at length he sat down to the meal in dusty overalls and hurried
off afterwards. Helen had tried to make excuses for him, but felt hurt
all the same. Stephen was getting slovenly and neglecting her.

"It's plain that you must take off those muddy overalls," she said.

They went back, and supper was delayed while Festing changed. He
forced himself to be polite when he joined his guests, but it cost him
something, and the dishes Helen had carefully prepared were spoiled.
On the whole, he felt grateful to Sadie and Bob, who kept the others in
good-humor and relieved him from the necessity of leading the talk; but
he was glad when they left.

When the rigs melted into the shadowy plain he stood on the veranda and
yawned.

"Well," he remarked, "that's over, and it will be some time before they
need come back. I hope none of them will think they have to ask us out
in return."

"You gave them a very plain hint," Helen said bitterly.

Festing did not answer and went into the house. He felt he had not been
tactful, but he was very tired, and if he ventured an explanation might
make things worse. Besides, he must get up at four o'clock next morning.

Helen sat still for some time, looking out on the prairie. She was
beginning to feel daunted by its loneliness. Except for Sadie Charnock,
visitors seldom came to the farm. Her neighbors lived at some distance,
but she had hoped to plan a round of small reunions that would break th