"The first time I meet that man McNoll he'll have to settle with me and he'll pay cash on the nail." Bim having heard of Harry's part in Abe's fight and of the fact that he was to be working alone all day at the new house had ridden out through the woods to the open prairie and hunted in sight of the new cabin that afternoon.

Unwilling to confess her extreme interest in the boy she had said not a word of her brave act.

It was not shame; it was partly a kind of rebellion against the tyranny of youthful ardor; it was partly the fear of ridicule.
So it happened that the adventure of Harry Needles made scarcely a ripple on the sensitive surface of the village life.

It will be seen, however, that it had started strong undercurrents likely, in time, to make themselves felt.
The house and barn were finished whereupon Samson and Harry drove to Springfield--a muddy, crude and growing village with thick woods on its north side--and bought furniture.

Their wagon was loaded and they were ready to start for home.