Page:Frank Owen - Rare Earth, 1931.djvu/289

 watch him. When he could hold no more he rolled over on his side and promptly went to sleep.

In the meantime Hung Long Tom had drawn another chair up to the fireside into which the stranger settled contentedly.

"You must remain here for the night at least," said Jethro emphatically. "It would be cruel to take the dog out upon the cold roads again."

"It is good of you to take me like this into your home," the stranger said, "when you do not even know me."

"Do you not remember," said Jethro, "we met last summer. I cannot see wherein we are good because we share our hearth with you. Am I any less warm because you, too, are comfortable? Is the fire less bright because you are sharing it with me? If so, I cannot understand such reasoning."

The stranger smiled wistfully. "Perhaps you are right," he mused. "Anyway I shall stay until morning." He paused for a moment, then he said slowly, "Tonight is Christmas