considerable in that place, and perhaps when you are through it won't
be satisfactory."

"I have taken a notion to it," said the girl. She spoke very shyly.
Her curiously timid, almost apologetic manner returned suddenly. "I
suppose it does look strange," she added.

"Nobody's business how it looks," said Jim, "but I think you ought to
know the truth about it, and I think I am more likely to give you
information than Whittle. Of course he has an ax to grind. Perhaps if
I had an ax to grind, you couldn't trust me."

"Yes, I could," returned the girl with conviction. "I knew that the
minute I looked at you. I always know the people I can trust. I know
I could not trust Deacon Whittle. I made allowances, the way one does
for a clock that runs too fast or too slow. I think one always has to
be doing addition or subtraction with people, to understand them."

"Well, you had better try a little subtraction with me."

"I don't have to. I didn't mean with everybody. Of course there are
exceptions. That was a beautiful skin you gave me. I didn't half
thank you."

"Nonsense. I was glad to give it."

"Do you hunt much?"

"About all I am good for except to run our little farm and do odd
jobs. I used to work in the chair factory."