"From Jack here. He's been teachin' me ther smart ways of ther town folks."
Jack smiled good-naturedly. He did not intend raising tobacco in great quantities, he said, as he was here on account of his health, but would raise some tobacco, just enough to keep him engaged, to keep him out of deeper mischief.
"I might have the same fate served out to me as did one over yonder a few nights back, if I should raise much tobacco."
For a moment there was a deep silence over the trio. Nora looked quickly up toward the mountain, while her mother cast her eyes downward and counted the cracks in the porch floor.
"Ye mout come through all right," she said finally.
"I might, and I may conclude to raise a large crop some time. I have lately purchased the old Redmond farm, but don't intend using it for the time being. A fellow living a lonely life does not feel greatly like working much."
"Ye've got the richest land in ther whole valley," said Mrs. Judson, "that's sure."
"I have heard so. I look for great crops off it in the future. Do not hope to meet the same fate the former owner met with."
"Not very likely that ye will. I hope not."
"Thank you."