Why, I've seen him stop on the way to a ball, pull off his coat, and go up a burning ladder to save a woman's pet canary, and then, when the crowd hurrahed him, I've laughed because I knew he deserved nothing of the kind.With him it wasn't courage so much as his inborn love of violent action--it cleared his head, he used to say." Christopher stopped cutting, straightened himself, and held his knife loosely in his hand."That's about it, Ireckon," he returned."I know I'm not a bit of a hero--if I'd been in your place I'd have shown up long ago for a skulking coward--but it's the excitement of the moment that I like.Why, there's nothing in life I'd enjoy so much as knocking Fletcher down--it's one of the things I look forward to that makes it all worth while." Tucker laughed softly.It was a peculiarity of his never to disapprove.That's a good savage instinct," he said, with a humorous tremor of his nostrils, "and it's a saying of mine, you know, that a man is never really--civilised until he has turned fifty.We're all born mighty near to the wolf and mighty far from the dog, and it takes a good many years to coax the wild beast to lie quiet by the fireside.It's the struggle that the Lord wants, I reckon; and anyhow, He makes it easier for us as the years go on.When a man gets along past his fiftieth year, he begins to understand that there are few things worth bothering about, and the sins of his fellow mortals are not among 'em." " Bless my soul!" exclaimed Christopher in disgust, rapping his palm smartly with the flat blade of his knife."Do you mean to tell me you've actually gone and forgiven Bill Fletcher?""Well, I wouldn't go so far as to water the grass on his grave, "answered Tucker, still smiling, "but I've not the slightest objection to his eating, sleeping, and moving on the surface of the earth.There's room enough for us both, even in this little county, and so long as he keeps out of my sight, as far as I am concerned he absolutely doesn't exist.I never think of him except when you happen to call his name.If a man steals my money, that's his affair.I can't afford to let him steal my peace of mind as well." With a groan Christopher went back to his work."It may be sense you're talking," he observed, "but it sounds to me like pure craziness.It's just as well, either way, I reckon, that I'm not in your place and you in mine--for if that were so Fletcher would most likely go scot free." Tucker rose unsteadily from the stump."Why, if we stood in each other's boots, "he said, with a gentle chuckle, "or, to be exact, if Istood in your two boots and you in my one, as sure as fate, you'd be thinking my way and I yours.Well, I wish I could help you, but as I can't I'll be moving slowly back."He shuffled off on his crutches, painfully swinging himself a step at a time, and Christopher, after a moment's puzzled stare at his pathetic figure, returned diligently to his work.
His passage along the green aisle was very slow, and when at last he reached the extreme end by the little beaten path and felled the last stalk on his left side he straightened himself for a moment's rest, and stood, bareheaded, gazing over the broad field, which looked as if a windstorm had blown in an even line along the edge, scattering the outside plants upon the ground.
The thought of his work engrossed him at the instant, and it was with something of a start that he became conscious presently of Maria Fletcher's voice at his back.Wheeling about dizzily, he found her leaning on the old rail fence, regarding him with shining eyes in which the tears seemed hardly dried.
"I have just left Will," she said; "the doctor has set his leg and he is sleeping.It was my last chance--I am going away to-morrow--and I wanted to tell you--I wanted so to tell you how grateful we feel."The knife dropped from his hand, and he came slowly along the little path to the fence.
"I fear you've got an entirely wrong idea about me, "he answered.
"It was nothing in the world to make a fuss over--and I swear to you if it were the last word I ever spoke--I did not know it was your brother.""As if that mattered!" she exclaimed, and he remembered vaguely that he had heard her use the words before."You risked your life to save his life, we know that.Grandpa saw it all--and the horses dragged you, too.You would have been killed if the others hadn't run up when they did.And you tell me--as if that made it any the less brave that you didn't know it was Will.""I didn't, "he repeated stubbornly."I didn't.""Well, he does, " she responded, smiling; "and he wants to thank you himself when he is well enough.""If you wish to do me a kindness, for heaven's sake tell him not to," he said irritably."I hate all such foolishness it makes me out a hypocrite!""I knew you'd hate it; I told them so," tranquilly responded the girl."Aunt Saidie wanted to rush right over last night, but Iwouldn't let her.All brave men dislike to have a fuss made over them, I know.""Good Lord!" ejaculated Christopher, and stopped short, impatiently desisting before the admiration illumining her eyes.
>From her former disdain he had evidently risen to a height in her regard that was romantic in its ardour.It was in vain that he told himself he cared for one emotion as little as for the other--in spite of his words, the innocent fervour in her face swept over the barrier of his sullen pride.
"So you are going away to-morrow, "he said at last; "and for good?""For good, yes.I go abroad very unexpectedly for perhaps five years.My things aren't half ready, but business is of more importance than a woman's clothes.""Will you be alone?"
"Oh, no."
"Who goes with you?" he insisted bluntly.
As she reddened, he watched the colour spread slowly to her throat and ear.
"I am to be married, you know," she answered, with her accustomed composure of tone.
His lack of gallantry was churlish.
"To that dummy with the brown mustache?" he inquired.
