“I don't mean nothing, Hunch, but you've been talking to her, and you know how to kind of quiet her. I never could, somehow.” “Look here, Bruce, I ain't going today or any day. I ain't going at all. Understand? You needn't tell her I said that, though.” “Guess I'd better be starting, eh, Hunch?” “Guess you had.” “Come on down to the depot. You ain't got nothing to do.” At the station, Hunch said: “Got any money?” “No, I ain't got much.” “Here's a little. No drinking, now.” “On my honor, Hunch, I won't drink a drop. Do you think a man would drink when he's going down to see his own wife, Hunch? Do you think----” “You better get aboard.” “Good-by, Hunch, I'll get back tonight.” In the evening Hunch met the Liddington train. Bruce did not get off. Hunch looked for him Monday morning, but had no word of him. At noon he was called to Mr. Jackson's office. “Badeau,” said his employer, “when that Considine gets back to work, you send him to me for his time.” Hunch hesitated. “I'll tell you, Mr. Jackson, he went down yesterday to see his wife. Their kid died a little while ago, and like's not she's sick.” “Think so?” “My work is pretty light to-day. I thought mebbe I could get off for the afternoon train and sort of look him up. I can get back to-night, you know. You see, if he gets laid off it'll come kind of hard on his wife.” “All right, go ahead. But, say, Badeau, hold on a minute. We're not running a charity hospital, you know. We can't give that man much rope.” Hunch said, “Yes, sir,” and went out. He reached Liddington at supper time and picked up a hasty meal at the hotel. Then he hurried over to Joe Cartier's house. Cartier let him in. “Hello, Joe,” said Hunch. “Bruce here?” Cartier hesitated. “Yes, I guess he's upstairs.” “I want to see him.” “Well; say, Hunch, come in the parlor a minute. I want to talk to you.” “What's the matter?” “Well, you know Bruce came down yesterday morning, and 'long about noon I guess they quarrelled a little. Me and my wife, we didn't listen, but we couldn't help hearing Bruce talk. And then Bruce went out----” “Oh,” said Hunch, “drunk?” “Not so bad as I've seen him, but he come in kind of ugly, and he's got some up there--brought it back with him. Seems kind of too bad. I didn't feel quite 's if I could do anything. You see 't ain't really none of my business.” Hunch went upstairs and knocked at the door. There was a stir inside, and he could hear Bruce grumbling and Mamie whispering. Then Mamie opened the door a few inches. When she looked at Hunch, the color left her face and she leaned against the door. “It's all right,” said Hunch, “I come for him.” “Oh,” faltered Mamie. “Who's there?” called Bruce. “Who you whispering to?” Mamie hesitated and looked at Hunch. He gently brushed her aside, saying, “Lemme come in.” “Who is it?” said Bruce. He was lying on the bed, his clothing mussed, his face red. Hunch stood by the bed and looked down at him.