Jed rubbed his chin.  The solemn expression of his face did not change an atom.  “Thank you, Phin,” he drawled.  “When I’m ready to start I’ll get you to give me a letter of introduction.”

Jed had been fearful that her brother’s coming might lessen the intimate quality of Ruth Armstrong’s friendship with and dependence upon him.  He soon discovered, to his delight, that these fears were groundless.  He found that the very fact that Ruth had made him her sole confidant provided a common bond which brought them closer together.  Ruth’s pride in her brother’s success at the bank and in the encomiums of the townsfolk had to find expression somewhere.  She could express them to her landlord and she did.  Almost every day she dropped in at the windmill shop for a moment’s call and chat, the subject of that chat always, of course, the same.

“I told you he would succeed,” she declared, her eyes shining and her face alight.  “I told you so, Jed.  And he has.  Mr. Barber, the cashier, told me yesterday that Charles was the best man they had had in the bank for years.  And every time I meet Captain Hunniwell he stops to shake hands and congratulates me on having such a brother.  And they like him, not only because he is successful in the bank, but for himself; so many people have told me so.  Why, for the first time since we came to Orham I begin to feel as if I were becoming acquainted, making friends.”

Jed nodded.  “He’s a nice young chap,” he said, quietly.

“Of course he is. . . .  You mustn’t mind my shameless family boasting,” she added, with a little laugh.  “It is only because I am so proud of him, and so glad—­so glad for us all.”

Jed did not mind.  It is doubtful if at that moment he was aware of what she was saying.  He was thinking how her brother’s coming had improved her, how well she was looking, how much more color there was in her cheeks, and how good it was to hear her laugh once more.  The windmill shop was a different place when she came.  It was a lucky day for him when the Powlesses frightened him into letting Barbara and her mother move into the old house for a month’s trial.

Of course he did not express these thoughts aloud, in fact he expressed nothing whatever.  He thought and thought and, after a time, gradually became aware that there was absolute silence in the shop.  He looked at his caller and found that she was regarding him intently, a twinkle in her eye and an amused expression about her mouth.  He started and awoke from his day-dream.

“Eh?” he exclaimed.  “Yes—­yes, I guess so.”

She shook her head.

“You do?” she said.  “Why, I thought your opinion was exactly the opposite.”

“Eh?  Oh, yes, so ’tis, so ’tis.”

“Of course.  And just what did you say about it?”

Jed was confused.  He swallowed hard, hesitated, swallowed again and stammered:  “I—­ Why, I—­that is—­you see—­”