When the car was out of sight Bill turned back into the middle of the room and stood watching Marvin, who had sat down and was eating his delayed supper. "Better join me, Bill," Marvin again invited, and at the same time noting a change in the old man's manner, now that they were alone. "No," Bill said; "I had mine with the boys outside, as I told you--but I'll have a drink with you, John," he added, hesitatingly, knowing Marvin's disapproval of his drinking. "I haven't anything in the house, Bill," said Marvin, as he went on eating. "You know that." Bill edged slowly toward the table, his hand in the back pocket of his baggy, slouchy trousers. "Yes, you have," he remarked, producing a half-filled flask. "You mean you have," Marvin replied, trying not to smile. "And you've had enough for to-night. Put it away, Bill, and promise me not to drink any more to-night." "All right, John," said Bill, unconcernedly, and putting the flask back in his pocket. "I promise--an' I 'ain't never broke a promise yet! I'll keep this for--for emergencies. Say, Oscar told me the railroad had the sheriff after you. You remember the last promise what I give you?" "What was that, Lightnin'?" "That if they goes to court, I'll come an' be a witness. I can swear them trees was cut when you sold the property, an' I'll--" "No, Bill!" said Marvin, putting down his knife and fork and staring at the old man, whose half-shut eyes had the suggestion of a flash in them. "No; I couldn't let you swear to anything like that." "You can't help yourself--I got a right to swear to anythin' I want!" There was an unexpected finality in Bill's usually drawling voice. "But I haven't got to prove when those trees were cut," said Marvin. "I know it," Bill responded; then, catching the smiling doubt in the other's eyes, he added, "I was a lawyer once." "Then why don't you practise?" asked Marvin, inwardly chuckling. "Don't need no practice." And Bill resorted to his bag of tobacco and papers, rolling himself a cigarette. By this time Marvin had finished his meal. "Look here, Lightnin'," he said, as he cleared the table, "you seem to have something on your mind. How are things going up at your place? Anybody at home know that you are here?" "Not unless they're mind-readers." "I thought so. Well?" "It's a wonder you 'ain't come up to take a look yourself," Bill countered. "You 'ain't even been up to--to see Millie," he added, thoughtfully. Marvin flushed. "That's true, Bill," he said, slowly. "But I've been mighty busy with this timber here, as you know; and, besides--well, Millie seems to be a bit interested elsewhere." "That's just the trouble, I guess," said Bill, settling himself on the corner of the table. Marvin looked at him quickly. "What do you mean, Bill?" he demanded. Lightnin' crossed his legs, took a final puff of his cigarette, and let it drop from his fingers.