Huntington groped in vain for one of the crushing retorts that he had valiantly prepared for this meeting. Then he caught Marion's eye again. "That was a mistake," he said. "But I'm no thief and no liar." "I grant you're honest enough, Huntington, when you stop to think. As for Sunnysides, he's settled that business for himself. And if you'll give me a straightforward answer on one more point, I'll acquit you of being a liar." "What's that?" "You killed my bull, didn't you?" "Yes, I did! But it was a question of yours or mine. They were fighting, and mine was getting the worst of it." "And it never occurred to you to let the best one win?" "No. I was angry. It was the day that--" He caught himself, and looked in fresh alarm at Marion. "The day that--" Haig prompted. "No matter. I was angry. I'll pay you what the bull was worth." "No. Settle that with Thursby. Is there anything more?" "Nothing except the cause of the whole trouble. You took more than your share." "We might talk all day and all night about that, and come to no understanding. But I'll tell you what I've done. I've suggested to Thursby that he and you and the rest of them go into a pool. There's enough pasture for all of you if--" "That's an idea!" cried Huntington. "What does Thursby say?" "He's willing. He doesn't like trouble as I--did. He'll even sell off some of his stock." Huntington was silent a moment, looking doubtfully at Haig. Then the best of him rose to the occasion. "I told Thursby that--I hadn't anything to take back, but that--you're a man, for all of it And if you--Damn it! There's my hand." "Done!" said Haig heartily. "Oh!" cried Claire, breaking away from the mantel, to which she clung through all the interview, trembling between hope and fear. She stepped up to Haig, her eyes shining through tears. "Mine too!" she said, offering her hand to him. But when it was all finished there was another awkward interval of silence. For years of controversy and enmity are not so quickly resolved into perfect peace. It was Haig who brought back a certain ease to them. "Would you mind, Mrs. Huntington, if I asked Miss Gaylord to go for a drive with me?" "Indeed, no!" "And if she took dinner with me? I'll bring her back early." "If Marion thinks--" But Marion, who had stood silent and anxious until then, did not reply to Claire's glance of inquiry. She heard the last words as if in a dream. But dreams were coming true these days; miracle followed miracle. With a stifled cry she ran past them, and into her room. There she sank down on the edge of the bed, and crossed her hands over her breast, and stared at vacancy, her face burning, a mist before her eyes. Weakness overcame her for a moment. Then she leaped to her feet, dressed quickly for the drive, and went out befurred and radiant to put her arms around Claire and kiss her. "You'll be welcome, Haig, if you want to--to come in any time," Huntington was saying awkwardly. "I will!" replied Haig.