Page:Frank Owen - Rare Earth, 1931.djvu/267

 "At least," he said, "don't do that You know it 'ud rather spoil everythin' if yer did. It's been sort o' pleasant stoppin"ere now an' then an' things like that." He was very badly flustered. He was not an adept at finesse. He had no idea how to get out of an awkward conversation. Then abruptly he decided he'd talk about Jethro Trent

"Rather decent sort o' feller, don' yer think?" he said pointing far off toward the field where Jethro was working.

Linda stared off into the distance without speaking. Then she said, "Yes, I don't know what would have become of me if it had not been for him. Guess I'd of had to go off an' live in some almshouse. Then if Enoch came back he'd never find me. But now thanks to him an' you the place is still mine. He's a mighty strange man. For hours he works in the fields. He doesn't even stop to rest in the heat of the noonday sun. Sometimes I carry a bit o' food out to him at lunch time. He never comes in. He wouldn't eat at all I guess if I didn't see to it. He doesn't seem to realize he's