“Well, here goes to surprise the Sage!” he whispered.

We picked our way between puddles and rapped on the door.  Andrew appeared, carrying the lamp in one hand.  When he saw us he grunted.

“Let me introduce my wife,” said Roger.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” said Andrew.

But Andrew isn’t quite so black as I’ve painted him.  When he’s once convinced of the error of his ways, he is almost pathetically eager to make up.  I remember only one remark in the subsequent conversation, because I was so appalled by the state of everything at Sabine Farm that I immediately set about putting the house to rights.  The two men, however, as soon as Parnassus was housed in the barn and the animals under cover, sat down by the stove to talk things over.

“I tell you what,” said Andrew—­“do whatever you like with your wife; she’s too much for me.  But I’d like to buy that Parnassus.”

“Not on your life!” said the Professor.