even now when both were in repose.

The elder was the first to break silence, speaking slowly and
without moving his eye from its bent.

"Governor, -- what do you suppose lies behind those mountains?"

"What?" -- said Winthrop quickly.

The other smiled.

"Your slow understanding can make a quick leap now and then."

"I can generally understand you," said his brother quietly.

Rufus added no more for a little, and Winthrop let him alone.

"We've got the farm in pretty good order now," he remarked
presently in a considerate tone, folding his arms and looking
about him.

"Papa has," observed Winthrop. "Yes -- if those stumps were out
once. We ought to have good crops this year, of most things."

"I am sure I have spent four or five years of my life in hard
work upon it," said the other.

"Your life ain't much the worse of it," said Winthrop,
laughingly.