THE FULL CORN 391 



unflattering to both of us. But I had always 

 found him one of the very best of my friends and 

 neighbours. I knew none who worked so quickly 

 and quietly and with such dogged, splendid deter- 

 mination. He took reverse in silence and good 

 fortune thankfully, and he was always ready to help 

 a lame dog over a stile. He knew about wheat, too, 

 and how I felt about that particular crop, and if I 

 stretched reason taut it was good reason, and I am 

 sure he forgave me. It is certain he did not send 

 in a bill for coming over with the engine and 

 separator in vain. 



After I left him I went down to the Fort to get 

 provisions, and when I got back every vestige of 

 the threshing outfit had vanished. 



The hired man, who had been stooking and had 

 remained on for fall-ploughing, met me at the 

 gate speechful with amazement. 



" A pretty thing you have done ! Never have I 

 seen such a thing as a threshing outfit sent off a 

 place before, and not a stook threshed. And a 

 woman too ! You'll be keeping Christmas with your 

 stooks." 



" That needn't concern you, since your wages 

 will be paid in any case. Get back to your own 

 business on the plough," I said, without a sign of 

 the anger that was blazing in my heart. The man 

 was very valuable, quiet with horses, thorough in 

 his ploughing, and he knew his work. 



Every day I sought threshers in vain, but on 

 Friday I found the gang on which Roddy McMahon 

 was working. 



" David Chambers ought to have let them come 

 on to you I guess. It wouldn't have put him out 



