"They dassent say anything, dang 'em," he grated. "This is my business, an' ef they stick their noses in it they'll git 'em pounded to hell an' gone." "Couldn't you have said all that without swearing?" she exclaimed, scornfully. His face actually burned with shame and his bold eyes wavered. "I didn't mean to, Justine. I--I jes' fergot. I want to tell you I don't cuss like I used to. Only when I git right mad. 'Sides, ef you'd gone in the house when I told you to, you wouldn't 'a' heerd." "Are you going to get off of my place?" she suddenly demanded. "Not tell I've fixed this roof," he replied doggedly. "I don't want it fixed," she said. "What's the use sayin' that? You was trying to do it yourself when I come up here. Will you go in the house er will you stand out here an' freeze?" "Do you think you're doing me a favor in this? Do you think I will thank you after it is done?" "I don't believe I expect to be thanked, an' I'm only doin' it because you hadn't ought to. I'd do it fer any woman." He swung the ax against the restraining timbers and a dozen strokes freed the roof from its twisted fastenings. She stood off at one side and glared at him. She forgot everything except that her enemy--Jud's bitterest foe--was deliberately befriending her. A sudden thought came to her, and the sharp exclamation that fell from her lips caused him to pause and glance at her. "Ain't you goin' in by the fire?" he demanded, panting from the exertion. "'Gene Crawley, do you know who has been cutting wood up in the grove and bringing it to my door?" she demanded. "Yes," he answered, looking away. "You?" "Yes." "If I had known that, I'd have frozen to death before I used a stick," she cried, the tears rushing to her eyes. "An' I fixed your fences an'--an'--an', I might as well tell you, I come around ever' night to see that your stock is all right," he went on. "You! oh, if I had only known! You! You!" she exclaimed, glaring at him with such fury and hatred that his eyes dropped and a miserable laugh of humiliation struggled through his teeth. As if to ward off the fierce, direct stabs of those bitter eyes, he fell to wielding the ax with all his strength. The chips flew and far away through the crisp air rang the song of the steel. He did not look up until the roof lay detached and there was no more chopping to be done. His face was still burning hotly. It was the first real goodness of heart he had ever shown, and it had met repulse. The anger melted when he saw her. She had not moved from the spot, but it was another creature altogether who stood there now. Justine's hands were pressed to her eyes and she was crying. Her whole body trembled and her thinly clad shoulders heaved convulsively.