"No, Brice, you haven't made me a spark o' trouble, not a spark. I'm sure you've paid your way twice over bringin' in wood, and grindin' coffee, an' the like. Many a man'd asked wages for the half you've done, so I'm gettin' off easy to call it square." And the good lady stood her ground unflinchingly. "You've been powerful good to me, ma'am. We'll be watchin' our chance to make it up to you,--Loisy an' me. I'll be sendin' fer Loisy d'reckly now." "Yes, yes, man, and there'll be bits o' furniture and things to get. Spread your money thin, and Mrs. Fox and me'll come in and put you to rights when you're lookin' for her." He brought the money to Joel at last, a motley collection of gold and silver pieces. "Ef ye'll be so kind as to send it to 'er, neighbor,--Mrs. Loisy Brice, Plattsville, Indianny. I've writ the letter tellin' her how to come. There's enough fer the ticket and a trifle to spare. The boy's a master hand at scuffin' out shoes an' things. You'll not make any mistake sendin' it, will you?" "No, no, Brice; it'll go straight as a rocket. Let me see now. The letter'll be a week, then 'lowin' 'em a week to get started"-- "Loisy won't be a week startin', neighbor." "Never you mind, man. 'Lowin' 'em a week to get off, that's two weeks; then them emigrant trains is slow, say thirteen days on the road,--that's about another fortnight,--four weeks; this is the fifth, ain't it? Twenty-eight and five's thirty-three; that'll be the third o' next month, say. Now mind what I tell you, Brice; don't look fer 'em a minute before the third,--not a minute." "'Pears like a long spell to wait, neighbor." "I know it, man; but it'll seem a thunderin' sight longer after you begin to look fer 'em." "I reckon you're right. Say four weeks from to-day, then. Like enough you'll be goin' in." "Yes, we'll hitch up and meet 'em at the train,--you and me. The women'll have things kind o' snug ag'in' we git home. Four weeks'll soon slide along, man." Joel went into the house smiling softly. "I had to be almost savage with the fellow, Barbara. The anxious seat's no place fer a chap like him; it'd wear him to a toothpick in a week." "But she might get here before that, you know, Joel." "I'll fix that with the men at the depot. If she comes sooner we'll have her out here in a hurry. Wish to goodness she would." III.