He whistled at the dog as he went out; he sang merrily as he walked along the road, with the sunrise on his face and the noontime in his heart. CHAPTER XIII. DORSEY. It was Mitchell's day to cook, and when Milford came in to dinner, the hired man told him that he had something of importance to tell. "Out with it," said Milford. "No, not till you eat. I never like to choke off a man's appetite. I wouldn't like to have a man choke off mine. I'd be like old Matt Lindsey. The court said he must hang for murderin' a peddler. His lawyers took his case before the supreme bench. And after it had been argued one of 'em came down to the jail to see old Matt. Just about that time the jailer brought in his dinner. Old Matt said to the lawyer, 'Don't tell me till I've eat this stuff. Afterwards I mightn't be in the humor, and I don't want to miss a meal.' And it was a good thing he eat first." "Well, is what you've got to say so bad as all that?" "Not a hangin' affair, but it's bad enough. The fact is, you can make it just as bad as you want it." "If it rests with me, I'll not make it very bad. I'll tell you that." "But I'll be hanged if it hain't made you turn pale. Why, you're scared, Bill. Oh, it's not so bad. I'll tell you now, seein' that I've already choked off your appetite. Why, there's a feller over at Mrs. Stuvic's that's too fresh. I was out by the windmill and your girl and a woman came along; and this feller was standin' off, not far away, talkin' to a chump that was with him, and he made a remark about the girl--won't tell you what it was, for a feller that's stuck don't like to hear such things repeated--I know I wouldn't. And I said to myself at the time, 'If Bill knowed that he'd mash your mouth.'" "What sort of a looking fellow is he?" Milford quietly asked. "Big feller. The hired man over there says his name's Dorsey. Just got here, I believe." "All right. Did you fix the fence where the sheep broke in?" "Somebody left the gap down. It's all right now." "Did you wrap the collar so it won't hurt the horse's shoulder?" "Yes, works all right, now. Haven't got enough to eat, have you?" "Not very hungry to-day," said Milford as he walked out. The hired man called after him, but he did not stop. He took the straight road to Mrs. Stuvic's. He saw Mrs. Blakemore coming out to the gate. She smiled upon him as he drew near. She said that she had just received a letter from George. He was in business again; a real estate firm had taken him as an experiment. He made a large sale the second day, and was now regularly employed at a good commission. It had made her very happy. She never would forget Mr. Milford; there was no doubt about it, he had inspired her husband with strength. Milford asked if a man named Dorsey were at the house. She said that she believed there was; he was at dinner. "If you want to see him, I'll tell Mrs. Stuvic," she said. "I wish you would. Tell her I want to see him now. I haven't time to wait."