“We've got to haul up enough logs by March--or earlier--to have a wood sawing in earnest,” announced Hiram. “We must get a gasoline engine and saw, and call on the neighbors for help, and have a sawing-bee.” “But what will be the use of that if we've got to leave here in February?” demanded Mrs. Atterson, worriedly. “The last time I saw that Pepper in town he grinned at me in a way that made me want to break my old umbrel' over his dratted head!” “I don't care,” said Hiram, sullenly. “I don't want to sit idle all winter. I'll cut the logs, anyway, and draw 'em out from time to time. If we have to leave, why, we have to, that's all.” “And we can't tell a thing to do about next year till we know what Pepper is going to do,” groaned Mrs. Atterson. “That is very true. But if he doesn't exercise his option before February tenth, we needn't worry any more. And after that will be time enough to make our plans for next season's crops,” declared Hiram, trying to speak more cheerfully. But Mrs. Atterson went around with clouded brow again, and was heard to whisper, more than once, something about “Mr. Damocles's sword.” CHAPTER XXXII. THE CLOUD IS LIFTED Despite Hiram Strong's warning to his employer when they started work on the old Atterson Eighty, that she must expect no profit for this season's, work, the Christmas-tide, when they settled their accounts for the year, proved the young fellow to have been a bad prophet. “Why, Hiram, after I pay you this hundred dollars, I shall have a little money left--I shall indeed. And all that corn in the crib--and stacks of fodder, beside the barn loft full, and the roots, and the chickens, and the pork, and the calf----” “Why, Hiram! I'm a richer woman to-day than when I came out here to the farm, that's sure. How do you account for it?” Hiram had to admit that they had been favored beyond his expectations. “If that Pepper man would only come for'ard and say what he was going to do!” sighed Mother Atterson. That was the continual complaint now. As the winter advanced all four of the family bore the option in mind continually. There was talk of the railroad going before the Legislature to ask for the condemnation of the property it needed, in the spring. It seemed pretty well settled that the survey along the edge of the Atterson Eighty would be the route selected. And, if that was the case, why did Pepper not try to exercise his option? Mr. Strickland had said that there was no way by which the real estate man's hand could be forced; so they had to abide Pepper's pleasure. “If we only knew we'd stay,” said Hiram, “I'd cut a few well grown pine trees, while I am cutting the firewood, have them dragged to the mill, and saw the boards we shall need if we go into the celery business this coming season.” “What do you want boards for?” demanded Henry, who chanced to be home over Christmas, and was at the house.