Hetty touched the keys--there was a difference in her when she sang, for music was her passion, and as the clear voice thrilled the two who listened, a flush of exaltation, that was almost spiritual, crept into her face. Clavering set his lips, and when the last notes sank into the stillness Miss Schuyler wondered what had brought the faint dampness to his forehead. She did not know that all that was good in him had revolted against what he had done, and meant to do, just then, and had almost gained the mastery. Unfortunately, instead of letting Hetty sing again and fix Clavering's half-formed resolution, she allowed her distrust of him to find expression; for capable young woman though she was, Flora Schuyler sometimes blundered. "The song was worth the effort," she said. "Mr. Clavering is, however, evidently willing to do a good deal to give folks pleasure." Clavering glanced at her with a little smile. "Folks? That means more than one." "Yes; it generally means at least two." Hetty laughed as she looked round. "Is there anybody else he has been giving music to?" "I fancy the question is unnecessary," Flora said. "He told us he came straight here, and there is nobody but you and I at Cedar he would be likely to bring anything to." "Of course not! Well, I never worry over your oracular observations. They generally mean nothing when you understand them," said Hetty. Flora Schuyler smiled maliciously at Clavering. She did not know that when a good deed hung in the balance she had, by rousing his intolerance of opposition, just tipped the beam. XX HETTY'S OBSTINACY It was very cold, the red sun hung low above the prairie's western rim, and Clavering, who sat behind Hetty and Miss Schuyler in the lurching sleigh, glanced over his shoulder anxiously. "Hadn't you better pull up and let me have the reins, Miss Torrance?" he said. Hetty laughed. "Why?" she asked, "I haven't seen the horse I could not drive." "Well," said Clavering drily, "this is the first time you have either seen or tried to drive Badger, and I not infrequently get out and lead the team down the slope in front of you when I cross the creek. It has a very awkward bend in it." Hetty looked about her, and, as it happened, the glare of sunlight flung back from the snow was in her eyes. Still, she could dimly see the trail dip over what seemed to be the edge of a gully close ahead, and she knew the descent to the creek in its bottom was a trifle perilous. She was, however, fearless and a trifle obstinate, and Clavering had, unfortunately, already ventured to give her what she considered quite unnecessary instructions as to the handling of the team. There had also been an indefinite change in his attitude towards her during the last week or two, which the girl, without exactly knowing why, resented and this appeared a fitting opportunity for checking any further presumption.