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 at me, and Gedge, who was very uncomfortable in his mind, introduced me as some diversion. We talked of the old days, of which I knew nothing, and the old pioneer told us some strange tales as we sat and smoked. But all the time Hale was in his mind. At last Smith spoke of him.

"What do you know of Hale now?" he asked.

"Nothin' to speak of," said Gedge; "but I reckon he has done well with his business."

"Is he any altered?" asked Smith, with an averted face. "Do folks speak well of him?"

"Not to any outrageous extent. A mean man is a mean man, and don't give up his meanness, accordin' to my observation of the human race," said Gedge.

"I'd half like to hear well of him," replied Smith, in a curious hollow voice. "If I could hear well of him I think"

"What d'ye think, Smith?"

But Smith did not finish his broken sentence. But he went on with another that was partner to the thought that inspired it.