never failed her and would not do so now. When she sat down in her room,
however, her face was grave. Her courage was high, but she felt
half afraid. Although she loved Bob Charnock, life with him might be
difficult. He was older than she and knew much more, but she must lead
him and be firm where he was weak. It was a hard task for an ignorant
girl, but she resolved to carry it out.

Next morning Keller went down the street and entered a wooden building
filled with gaudily painted mowers and plows. He was not the man to
waste time when he had made a plan, and moreover felt that he had not
much time to lose. Finding the implement dealer in his office, he sat
down, breathing rather hard.

"You don't look very spry this morning," the dealer remarked.

"I don't feel so bright. The boys have been rushing me the last week or
two. Say, trade is booming now!"

"It surely is. I could sell more machines than I've got, but I've got
a lot of money standing out, and after the bad harvest last fall, don't
know who to trust."

They compared notes about their customers, and presently the dealer
remarked: "Charnock was in a few days ago, asking about a new wagon, a
mower, and some small tools."

"Ah!" said Keller, rather sharply. "Then it looks as if he meant to hold
on! He reckoned, not long since, that he'd have to quit. But what did
you tell him?"