There was gentle reproof in her tones. Ebenezer glanced at her sharply. "Never come into my life at all!" he repeated. "Does this look as if they never came into my life, eh?" He leaned over and tapped Madelene's letter. "Am I going to see my sister--" "Madelene is probably mistaken," interjected Helen, hopefully. "It'll be better for the squatter girl if she is," answered Ebenezer, whirling and going out. Now it happened that Tessibel was standing outside the cottage clipping her hedge when she heard the sound of horses' hoofs coming down the lane. She stepped to the shanty door, gave the sound which warned Andy of a stranger's approach, and was back again when Waldstricker's great black horse came in sight. Opposite her, he drew his steed to a standstill and bowed curtly. Tess had never seen his lips so sternly set, not even when he had dragged her from Mother Moll's hut. She made no move to go to him. "I came to speak to you, Miss Skinner," he called. "Come here?" Then Tessibel went a few steps nearer, without laying down her shears. Looking up into his face, she asked, "What do ye want, Mr. Waldstricker?" It was hard for Waldstricker to tell just what he did want when that pair of red-brown eyes were gazing at him. "I think I'll dismount," he said suddenly. Throwing one leg over the broad back of the horse, he slipped to the ground. The bridle over his arm, he walked toward the girl until she was standing but a step away. "You haven't any news of Bishop for me, I suppose?" he asked. Tess grew suddenly intuitive. Immediately she knew he had not come to ask her about Andy. She shook her head, her tongue cleaving to the roof of her mouth. "Have you done anything to locate him?" persisted Waldstricker. He was feeling his way to bring in the other matter, and looking more closely at the girl, he reluctantly admitted to himself she was beautiful. "My daddy's been awful sick," said Tess quickly. "I ain't much time to do anything but take care of 'im an' sing in the church." Waldstricker was not interested in the sick squatter, so he gave no sign of sympathy. Rather, he wanted to come to the crucial point immediately, but Tess was so unapproachable that he remained quiet a few embarrassing moments to think of the right thing to say. "You must be a little lonely now Mr. Graves is married," he stated presently. Tessibel grew deathly pale, and took one backward step. Had he come to talk of Frederick? Had he found out the secret she had kept religiously so many weeks? "Mr. Graves?" she repeated, and then again in almost a whisper, "Mr. Graves?" It was the first time in ever so long she'd pronounced that loved name aloud. "Yes," said Waldstricker, darkly, "and I came down today to see the letters you've received from him."