"Y-yes, Mr. Gentry," he allowed uneasily, "I have." "Uh-huh," Ajax pursued in deep, even tones. "Yo're welcome in this house, like any other neighbor, and they ain't a man on top o' the Turkey Track mountings that can say I ever shut my door in the face of a friend. But--I'll ax you fa'r and open--do you think hit's wise?" Again Flenton's eyes went rapidly, almost stealthily, from one face to the other. "Do I think what's wise?" he finally managed to inquire, with fair composure. "Well," said the elder man slowly, "in the first place we'll say that Lance Cleaverage ain't a feller to fool with. We'll say that, and we'll lay it by and not name him again.". He paused a moment, then went on: "Like some several other o' the boys hereabouts, [302] you used to think a heap o' Sis before she was wedded. She's quit her man; and do you think hit's wise to visit so much at the house where she's stayin'? This matter consarns me and the girl's mother, too. I take notice all the rest o' the boys lets Sis alone. How about you?" This time Flent did not turn his head. He stared out over the hills and made no answer for so long that Octavia spoke up, a tremor of impatience, or of resentment, in her voice. "Now, Flent, they's no use o' talkin'; of all of Sis's lovyers, you hung on the longest. Look like you wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. Why, the very night her and Lance was married, you done yo' best to step betwixt 'em. And worst is, you don't quit it now that they air wedded." "Octavy," demurred old Ajax, chafed at seeing a man so bearded by one of the weaker sex, "Flenton may have something to say--let him speak for hisself." Thus encouraged, Hands faced about toward them. "No, I ain't never give up Callisty," he said doggedly, "and I ain't never a-goin' to. She's quit her husband." Even in his eagerness he did not find it possible to take Lance's name on his lips. "She's left that thar feller that never done her right, and never was fit for her, to consarn himself with his own evil works and ways; and she's come home here to you-all; and I don't [303] see what should interfere now between her an' me." Octavia's comely face crimsoned angrily. "A married woman--a wife--" she broke out with vehemence. But her father-in-law checked her by a motion of the hand. "Yes, Callisty's quit Lance Cleaverage," agreed Ajax dryly. "An' she's come home. But I reckon she'll behave herself. Leastways, she will while she's in my house." At the seeming implication, Octavia's fingers trembled in her lap, and she turned a wounded look upon Ajax. "Well, Pappy! You' no call--" she was beginning, when Flenton, with a manner almost fawning, interrupted her. "You don't rightly git my meaning, Mr. Gentry--nor you, neither, Miz. Gentry," he said humbly. "I've lived considerable in the Settlement. Down thar, when married people cain't git along, and quits each other, there's--there's ways--Down in the Settlement--"