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that I’m as good a Mayo as you are—or Andy, when I want to be.

—[Kindly but skeptically.]. That’s the right spirit, Robert, but it ain’t needful for you to

—[Interrupting him.] No one said you weren’t doing your part, Robbie. You’ve got to look out for

—I know what you’re going to say, and that’s another false idea you’ve got to get out of your heads. It’s ridiculous for you to persist in looking on me as an invalid. I’m as well as anyone, and I’ll prove it to you if you’ll give me half a chance. Once I get the hang of it, I’ll be able to do as hard a day’s work as any one. You wait and see.

—Ain’t none of us doubts your willin’ness, but you ain’t never learned

—Then I’m going to start learning right away, and you’ll teach me, won’t you?

—[Mollifyingly.] Of course I will, boy, and be glad to, only you’d best go easy at first.

—With the two farms to look after, you’ll need me; and when I marry Ruth I’ll have to know how to take care of things for her and her mother.

—That’s so, son.

—[Who has listened to this conversation in mingled consternation and amazement.] You don’t mean to tell me you’re goin’ to let him stay, do you, James?

—Why, things bein’ as they be, Robert’s free to do as he’s a mind to.