on the land and eaten and drunk what the land gave me. All my
forefathers did the same, and the noise and smell of these new-fangled
factories takes the heart out of me. I hev a bit of brass left, and
while I hev it I am going to buy me a farm where good land is sold by
the acre and not by feet and inches. Now, then, I'll sell thee my mill,
and its fifty looms, and heppen it may do cheerfully for thee what it
will not do anyway for me. Will tha buy it?'"

"Poor chap!" interrupted Harry. "I know just how he felt. I am sorry for
him."

"You needn't be anything of that sort, Harry. He is a big landowner now
and a senator and a millionaire. So save thy pity for someone that needs
it. As I was saying, he offered to sell his mill to thy father and thy
father snapped at the offer, and it was settled there and then as they
stood in Woodleigh meadows."

"What did father pay for it?" asked Harry.

"Nay, my dear, I cannot tell thee. Thy father never told his women folk
what he made or what he spent. It wasn't likely. But it was a fair
bargain, no doubt, for when they had settled it, Ezra said, 'Good-bye,
Stephen! I shall not see thee again in this world!' and he pulled out
his watch and father took out his and they changed watches for the
memory of each other. Then they clasped hands and said farewell. But
they wrote to each other at every New Year, and when thy father died
Ezra's watch was sent back to him. Then Ezra knew his friend had no
longer any need to count time. He had gone into Eternity."

"It was a good custom, mother," said John. "It is a pity such customs