I stared at him, and then broke into laughter, in which, after a
space and unwillingly, he himself joined. When at length I wiped
the water from my eyes it was quite dark, the whippoorwills had
begun to call, and Rolfe must needs hasten on. I went with him
down to the gate.

"Take my advice, - it is that of your friend," he said, as he swung
himself into the saddle. He gathered up the reins and struck spurs
into his horse, then turned to call back to me: "Sleep upon my
words, Ralph, and the next time I come I look to see a farthingale
behind thee!"

"Thou art as like to see one upon me," I answered.

Nevertheless, when he had gone, and I climbed the bank and
re‰ntered the house, it was with a strange pang at the cheerlessness
of my hearth, and an angry and unreasoning impatience at the lack
of welcoming face or voice. In God's name, who was there to
welcome me? None but my hounds, and the flying squirrel I had
caught and tamed. Groping my way to the corner, I took from my
store two torches, lit them, and stuck them into the holes pierced
in the mantel shelf; then stood beneath the clear flame, and looked
with a sudden sick distaste upon the disorder which the light
betrayed. The fire was dead, and ashes and embers were scattered
upon the hearth; fragments of my last meal littered the table, and
upon the unwashed floor lay the bones I had thrown my dogs. Dirt
and confusion reigned; only upon my armor, my sword and gun,
my hunting knife and dagger, there was no spot or stain. I turned to
gaze upon them where they hung against the wall, and in my soul I