The young man hurried across the yard, shoulders stiff. So quickly that the man in black, eyes mocking, was forced to stand aside at the very door of the outhouse to permit him to enter. The church bell and mounting vanished. With a clap of indignant thunder. The man in black resumed his chair on the porch. The young man came slowly back across the yard and sat on the steps. After a few minutes the young man said, "That wasn't very funny." "I hardly expected you to think so." "This can go on for an awfully long time you know." "I have," said the man in black, "an awfully long time. So do you." "I think that it's rather a silly thing for you to be concerning yourself with," the young man said. "After all, it failed to incite these humans to any thoughts which could really be called sinful." "Then it is an equally silly thing for _you_ to concern yourself with, isn't it?" "I do so because it disturbs humans at a time when they may be nearest to God." "I concern myself for the same reason." * * * * * A non-existent half hour passed. The young man sat on the steps, his white suit impeccable, face thoughtful. The man in black sat and smoked and smirked. The three old men waited. Out in the yard the outhouse stood, a battleground of good and evil. Its coat of white paint gleamed in the sun, which still stood high as a result of _timelessness_. Its red roof was a challenge. To the young man, staring moodily, the crescent in the door seemed a mocking, lopsided smile. On the roof stood a new and larger mounting, containing a new and larger cowbell, from which hung a new and heavier chain. Once the young man looked upward, as if for guidance. Once he sighed and shook his head, as if discouraged. "One of us must win," he said finally. "Always," the man in black nodded. "If I destroy that bell, you will replace it." "With a bigger one." "If you replace it, I shall destroy it." "And then I shall replace it again." "Do you really feel," asked the young man, "that so small a purpose is worth such an effort?" "I might ask you the same question." "Tiny building blocks may build a great edifice." "The removal of one may contribute to its ruin." The creek murmured. Out in back of the store, the bird in the elm sang a hesitant note, and then was silent. Charley Mason cleared his throat. The man in black turned his hot, mocking gaze on Charley. Charley closed his mouth so hard his teeth clicked. The young man said, "You need not fear him, mortal--only his temptations." "Mister--" Charley said hesitantly. "Yes?" "Something sort of has me wondering." "Yes?" "Well--I've been watching you two go at it, and--well, it sort of looks like this other feller has the edge on you right down the line. I mean, like he was all confident, and you just don't know how to get around him--"