out wisdom to the likes of him? Get un a job if you mind
to. I shouldn't--not till he shaws better metal and grips the facts o'
life wi' a tighter hand."

"I'll sound him as delicately as I can. It may be that his self-respect
would strengthen if he found his talents appreciated and able to command
a little money. He wants something of that sort--eh?"

"Doan't knaw but what a hiding wouldn't be so gude for un as anything,"
mused Will. There was no animosity in the reflection. His ill-temper had
long since vanished, and he considered Clement as he might have
considered a young, wayward dog which had erred and brought itself
within reach of the lash.

"I was welted in my time hard an' often, an' be none the worse," he
continued.

Martin smiled and shook his head.

"Might have served him once; too late now for that remedy, I fear."

There was a brief pause, then Will changed the conversation abruptly.

"How's your brother Jan?" he asked.

"He's furnishing his new house and busy about the formation of a
volunteer corps. I met him not long since in Fingle Gorge."

"Be you friends now, if I may ax?"

"I tried to be. We live and learn. Things happened to me a while ago
that taught me what I didn't know. I spoke to him and reminded him of
the long years in Africa. Blood's thicker than water, Blanchard."

"So 'tis. What did he make of it?"

"He looked up and hesitated. Then he shook his head and set his face
against me, and said he would not have my friendship as a gift."

"He's a gude hater."

"Time will bring the best of him to the top again some day. I understand
him, I think. We possess more in common than people suppose. We feel
deeply and haven't a grain of philosophy between us."

"Well, I reckon I've allus been inclined to deep ways of thought myself;
and work up here, wi' nothing to break your thoughts but the sight of a
hawk or the twinkle of a rabbit's scut, be very ripening to the mind. If
awnly Phoebe was here! Sometimes I'm in a mood to ramp down-long an'
hale her home, whether or no. But I sweats the longing out o' me wi'
work."

"The day will soon come. Time drags with me just now, somehow, but it
races with you, I'll warrant. I must get on with my book, and see Hicks
and try and persuade him to help me."

"'Tis like your big nature to put it that way. You'rn tu soft-hearted a
man to dwell in a house all alone. Let the dead stones bide, Martin, an'
look round for a wife. Theer's more gude adv