“For the woman he loves, of course! My neighbor's a sort of crank and insisted on expressing himself in this way. Come, I want you to see two rooms upstairs.” He led her into the room Jim had built for his wife. “Observe this furniture, if you please.” “Don't tell me that he built that too?” she laughed. “That's exactly what I'm going to tell you.” “Impossible!” she protested. “Why, the line and finish would do credit to the finest artisan in America.” “So I say. Look at the perfect polish of that table! It's like the finish of a rosewood piano.” He touched the smooth surface. “Of course you're joking?” Mary answered. “No amateur could have done such work.” “So I'd have said if I had not seen him do it.” “What on earth possessed him to undertake such a task?” “The love of a beautiful woman--what else?” “He learned a trade--just to furnish this room with his own hand?” “Yes.” “His love must be the real thing,” she mused. “That's what I've said. Look at this iron work, too--the stately andirons in that big fireplace, the shovel, the tongs, and the massive strop-hinges on the doors.” “He did that, too?” she asked in amazement. “Every piece of iron on the place he beat out with his own hand at his forge.” “And all for the love of a woman? The age of romance hasn't passed after all, has it?” “No.” Mary paused before the window looking south. “What a glorious view!” she cried. “It's even grander than yours, Doctor.” “Yes. I claim some of the credit, though, for that. I helped him lay out the grounds.” “Who is this remarkable man?” she asked at last. “A friend of mine. I'll introduce him directly. He should be here at any moment now.” “We're intruding,” Mary whispered. “We must go. I mustn't look any more. I'll be coveting my neighbor's house.” The doctor turned to the window and signaled to someone on the lawn, as Mary hurried down the stairs. She fairly ran into Jim, who was being pulled into the house by the boy. “'Ook, Mamma! 'Ook! I found a Daddy! He says he be my Daddy if you let him. Please let him. I want a Daddy, an' I like him. Please!” Jim blushed and trembled and lifted his eyes appealingly, while Mary stood white and still watching him in a sort of helpless terror. The child moved on to his wagon. “Say, little girl,” Jim began in low tones, “it's been a thousand years since I saw you. Don't drive me away--just give me one chance for God's sake and this baby's that He sent us! I've gone straight. I've sent back every dishonest dollar. I'm earning a clean living down here and a good one. I've practiced for two years cutting out the slang, too.” He paused for breath and she turned her head away.