“I’ll be only too glad to do as you say. But how about this Rogers woman?”

“I’ll see to her. She’d never recognize you as the dude who beat her son-in-law. You’ve changed consider’ble since then. You’ve even changed a mite to-night.”

The Captain took up his pipe from the table, shook off the ash, and relighted it.

“Is that all, Josiah?”

“Yes. I cal’late you’d best be going.” He handed the Elder his hat, and lifted his walking-stick from the floor.

“Thanks, Josiah. You have been very kind to me. More than I deserve.”

372

“There ain’t no room for argument on that p’int.”

As the Elder reached the door the Captain halted him.

“If I was you, Jim, I’d keep my oar out of that love affair of Mack and Beth.”