I was about to go when Jack said: 'No, let her stay.

She'd best hear now what I've got to say.

It concerns her.' "'So ho! Then you've got a heap to say ?' exclaimed dad, queerly.

'All right, you have your say first.' "Jack then began to talk in a level and monotonous voice, so unlike him that I sat there amazed.

He told how early in the winter, before he left the ranch, he had found out that he was honestly in love with me.