"'That passes you,' he explained, 'for the freedom of Eucalyptus City, as you'd say at home. When you want it, you've only to come and fetch it—in a pail. You're among friends.'
"He backed up this assurance by shaking my hand a second time, and with great fervour. And so we parted.
"As I neared the spring on my homeward road I saw Miss Montmorency standing beside the track, awaiting me. She looked decidedly better, and handed me back my handkerchief, almost dry and neatly folded.
"'And how did you find him?' she asked.
"I told her.
"'We allowed it was that—the boys and I. We allowed he wouldn't last out the fall. Did you meet any of the boys?'
"'I've been having a short drink and a long talk with Captain Bill.'
"She nodded her head, breaking off to clap both palms to her temples.
"'My! It does ache! I'm powerful glad you seen Bill. Now you know the worst o' me and we can start fair. I allowed, first along, that I play this hand alone; but now you've got to help. Now and then I catch myself weakening. It's dreadful choky, sitting by the hour and filling up that poor innocent with lies. And the eyes of him!' (she stamped her foot): 'I could whip his father and mother for having no more sense than to let him start. Doctor, you'll have to help.'"
"I rode down to Eucalyptus again next morning and found the Bishop seated and talking with Miss Montmorency in the gaudy little parlour.