'Hope has got too far ahead of me,' I said. 'She can marry a rich man if she wishes to, and I don't see why she shouldn't. What am I, anyhow, but a poor devil just out of college and everything to win? It makes me miserable to think here in this great house how small I am.' 'There's things goin' to happen,' Uncle Eb whispered. 'I can't tell ye what er when, but they're goin' to happen an' they're goin' to change everything. We sat thinking a while then. I knew what he meant--that I was to conquer the world, somehow, and the idea seemed to me so absurd I could hardly help laughing as melancholy as I felt. 'Now you go to bed,' he said, rising and gently touching my head with his hand. 'There's things goin' t'happen, boy--take my word fer it. I got in bed late at night but there was no sleep for me. In the still hours I lay quietly, planning my future, for now I must make myself worth having and as soon as possible. Some will say my determination was worthy of a better lover but, bless you! I have my own way of doing things and it has not been always so unsuccessful. Chapter 31 Hope was not at breakfast with us. 'The child is worn out,' said Mrs Fuller. 'I shall keep her in bed a day or two. 'Couldn't I see her a moment?' I enquired. 'Dear! no!' said she. 'The poor thing is in bed with a headache.' If Hope had been ill at home I should have felt free to go and sit by her as I had done more than once. It seemed a little severe to be shut away from her now but Mrs Fuller's manner had fore-answered any appeal and I held my peace. Having no children of her own she had assumed a sort of proprietorship over Hope that was evident--that probably was why the girl had ceased to love me and to write to me as of old. A troop of mysteries came clear to me that morning. Through many gifts and favours she had got my sweetheart in a sort of bondage and would make a marriage of her own choosing if possible. 'Is there anything you would like particularly for your breakfast? Mrs Fuller enquired. 'Hain't no way pertic'lar,' said Uncle Eb. 'I gen rally eat buckwheat pancakes an' maple sugar with a good strong cup o'tea. Mrs Fuller left the room a moment. 'Dunno but I'll go out to the barn a minnit 'n take a look at the hosses,' he said when she came back. 'The stable is a mile away,' she replied smiling. 'Gran' good team ye druv us out with las' night,' he said. 'Hed a chance t'look 'em over a leetle there at the door. The off hoss is puffed some for'ard but if yer husband'll put on a cold bandage ev'ry night it'll make them legs smoother n a hound's tooth. She thanked him and invited us to look in at the conservatory. 'Where's yer husband?' Uncle Eb enquired. 'He's not up yet,' said she, 'I fear he did not sleep well. 'Now Mis Fuller,' said Uncle Eb, as we sat waiting, 'if there s anything I can do t'help jes'le'me know what 'tis.