"That's so; it was suthin' like a thousand francs; but French
money, when you pan it out as dollars and cents, don't make so
much, after all." There was a few moments' silence, when he
continued, in the same tone of voice, "Talkin' o' them things,
Slinn, I've got suthin' for you." He stopped suddenly. Ever
watchful of any undue excitement in the invalid, he had noticed a
slight flush of disturbance pass over his face, and continued
carelessly, "But we'll talk it over to-morrow; a day or two don't
make much difference to you and me in such things, you know.
P'raps I'll drop in and see you. We'll be shut up here."

"Then you're going out somewhere?" asked Slinn, mechanically.

"No," said Mulrady, hesitatingly. It had suddenly occurred to him
that he had nowhere to go if he wanted to, and he continued, half
in explanation, "I ain't reckoned much on Christmas, myself.
Abner's at the Springs; it wouldn't pay him to come here for a day--
even if there was anybody here he cared to see. I reckon I'll
hang round the shanty, and look after things generally. I haven't
been over the house upstairs to put things to rights since the
folks left. But YOU needn't come here, you know."

He helped the old man to rise, assisted him in putting on his
overcoat, and than handed him the cane which had lately replaced
his crutches.

"Good-by, old man! You musn't trouble yourself to say 'Merry
Christmas' now, but wait until you see me again. Take care of
yourself."