"How did you get home the other night?" said the farmer. "Did you get over the river?" Then shifting his ground as Miss Harrison and Stranger came up into the group, he changed his question. "I say Mr. Linden!--I heerd Quapaw creek was choked up the other night--how did you get home?" "The same way I expect to now," said Mr. Linden. "How did _you_, Mr. Simlins." "The harness was all right," said Mr. Simlins--"if anything else was in a disorganized state, 'twas somebody's fault besides yourn. That lynch-pin made trouble though; it didn't fit more places than one. Did you get across Quapaw creek on your horses?" "Do you suppose I crossed on foot?" said Mr. Linden smiling. "Do you take me for a witch, Mr. Simlins?" "I haven't just made up my mind about that," said the farmer. "I've a temptation to think you air. What's that you're on?" "Only a broomstick in disguise, Mr. Simlins. As he belongs to Dr. Harrison, I am willing to own so much." "He's as well-shaped a broomstick as ever I see," said the farmer consideratively. "I shouldn't mind puttin' him in harness. Well good-day! I'm glad this girl didn't have to go all round again the other night--I was afeard she had. I'll take you over creation," he sung out after her as they parted company,--"and I'll be along Monday." "Quapaw creek?" said Dr. Harrison, as the interrupted procession took up its line of march again,--"I think I remember that. What was the matter?" "The bridge was broken, with a loaded wagon upon it," Faith explained. "And you crossed by fording?" "Yes." "Isn't it rather a difficult ford? If I remember right, the bed of the stream is uneven and rough; doesn't it require some guiding of the horses?" "I believe so--yes. It isn't safe for an ignorant rider." "I didn't give you credit," said he looking at her, "for being such a horsewoman. That is quite a feat for a lady." Faith coloured high. But she was not going a second time to fight the doctor "with his own weapons." A very little she hesitated, then she said boldly, though not in very bold tones it must be confessed,-- "I am not a horsewoman--Mr. Linden carried me over." The doctor looked very moody for a few minutes; then his brow brightened. Faith's straightforward truth had served her as well as the most exquisite piece of involution. The doctor could not very well see the face with which her words were spoken and had to make up his mind upon them alone. "It is so!" was his settled conclusion. "She has only a child's friendly liking for him--nothing more--or she never, simple as she is, would have said that to me with that frankness!" Moodiness returned to the doctor's brow no more. He left Quapaw creek in the distance and talked of all manner of pleasant things. And so, with no second break of the order of march, they went on and went home. "Mr. Linden," said Faith when she was lighting the lamp for study in the evening,--"you'll never ask anything of me so hard to do as that was to-day."