"It isn't mine any longer—you must get over that idea."
"What you've always considered to be yours, anyway, and that amounts to the same thing in this world."
"I like to talk about it with you," Adelle replied simply, and with perfect sincerity, as every important statement of Adelle's was sincere. "I want you to have the money really.... I'm glad it is you, too."
"Thank you."
"I'll do everything I can to make it easy for you to get it soon, and that is why I will go to Alton."
The mason rose from the doorstep and walked nervously to and fro in front of the shack. At last he muttered,—
"Guess I won't say nothin' to the folks about the money until it is all settled—it might make 'em kind of anxious."
"No, that would be better," Adelle agreed.
"I'm goin' to pull out of here to-night!"
He turned as he spoke and shoved one foot through the paper wall of his home, as if he were thus symbolically shedding himself of his toilsome past. Adelle did not like this impulsive expression, she did not know why. She rose.