"There is but one explanation," Grace said after a moment or two of thought. "It is plain that he is engaged in charitable work, and is living up to the spirit of the injunction not to let his left hand know what his right hand is doing. And oh, Phil, long as we've been here,--almost half a year,--we've never done any charitable work whatever." "Haven't we, indeed! You are continually doing all sorts of kindnesses for all sorts of people, and as you and I are one, and as whatever you do is right in your husband's eyes, I think I may humbly claim to be your associate in charity." "But I've done no charities. Everything I do seems to bring more business to the store. I've no such intention, but the fact remains. I never give away anything, for I never see an opportunity, but it seems that Caleb does." "Ah, well, question him yourself, and if your suspicions prove correct, don't let us be outdone in that kind of well-doing." "Caleb," Grace asked at her first opportunity, "aren't there any deserving objects of charity in Claybanks?" "Well," Caleb replied, "that depends on what you mean by deservin', an' by charity--too. I s'pose none of us--except p'r'aps you--deserve anythin' in particular, an' as you seem to have ev'rythin' you want, there ain't any anyhow. But there's some that's needy, an' that'll get along better for a lift once in a while." "Do tell me about some of them. I don't want any one to suffer if my husband and I can prevent it." "That sounds just like you, but I don't exactly see what you can do. Fact is, you have to know the folks mighty well, or you're likely to do more harm'n good, for the best o' folks seem to be spiled when they get somethin' for nothin'. But there's some of our people that's had their ups an' downs,--principally downs,--an' a little help now an' then does 'em a mighty sight o' good. There's women that's lost their husbands, an' have to scratch gravel night an' day to feed their broods. Watchin' the ways of some of 'em's made me almost b'lieve the old yarn about the bird that tears itself to pieces to feed its young." "Oh, Caleb!" "Fact. There's no knowin' what you can see 'till you look for it good an' hard." "But food is so cheap in this country that I didn't suppose the poorest could suffer. Corn-meal less than a cent a pound, flour two cents, meat only four or five--"