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 two houses to be built in the coming season, and, too, for one of them he was to furnish the crane for the kitchen fireplace, and not a farmer for miles around but had ploughs to be repaired, and many a farmer's wife had sought his skill in fashioning some simple piece of furniture. From morning till night he was busy, and bargained with two good workmen, who were now as steadily occupied as himself. Everywhere was evidence of unusual thrift. William, or any other idler, if he came, soon found himself in the way, and left wondering what had changed John so. The fact is his work had gotten ahead of him, but now he was far ahead of his work. There were no delays now, no broken promises, and in all the dust and smoke John saw Ruth as we often see a bright streak of rosy light piercing a storm-cloud, and the ring of the hammer on the anvil, which meant but thrift to casual ears, was the cheery voice of Ruth, as, wandering by the hedge or strolling over the fields for wild flowers, she sang those simple songs that once heard he could not forget and often found himself humming when alone.