"You and I must pay that money off, Will."

"Ay -- but still there's a question which is the best way to do
it," said Rufus.

"The best way, I've a notion," said Winthrop looking round at
his cattle, -- "is not to take too long noon-spells in the
afternoon."

"Stop a bit. Sit down! -- I want to speak to you. Do you want
to spend all your life following the oxen?"

Winthrop stopped certainly, but he waited in silence.

"_I_ don't!"

"What do you want to do?"

"I don't know -- something --"

"What is the matter, Will?"

"Matter?" -- said the other, while his fine features shewed the
changing lights and shadows of a summer day, -- "why Winthrop,
that I am not willing to stay here and be a ploughman all my
life, when I might be something better!"

The other's heart beat. But after an instant, he answered
calmly,