The men grinned as they measured the stranger with admiring glances and one drawled, "We don't know where you come from, pardner, but we sure know what you can do. Ain't nobody in this outfit hankerin' to tackle the man that can work John Gardner down."
At the barn the farmer drew the minister to one side.
"Look here, Brother Matthews," he began.
But the other interrupted sharply. "My name is Dan, Mr. Gardner. Don't go back on the bargain."
"Well then, Dan, I won't. And please remember after this that my name is John. I started to ask if you really meant to stay out here and work for me this harvest?"
"That was the bargain, unless you are dissatisfied and want me to quit tonight."
The other rubbed his tired arms. "Oh I'm satisfied all right," he said grimly. "But I can't understand it, that's all."
"No," said the other, "and I can't explain. But perhaps if you were a preacher, and were met by men as men commonly meet preachers, you would understand clearly enough."
Tired as he was, the big farmer laughed until the tears came.
"And to think," he said, "all the way home last night I was wondering how you could stand it. I understand it all right. Come on in to supper." He led the way to the house.