Part 28 (2/2)

Craig sprang to his feet, went over and laid his heavy hand heavily upon Arkwright's shoulder ”And,” said he, ”you knowthat didn't prove to be true, no ht was silent

”Grant,” Craig went on, and his voice was gentle and , ”I need you I must have you You won't fail o,” said Grant in a oose chase Still, you do need the clothes You're a perfect disgrace”

Craig took away his hand and burst into his noisy, boyish laughter, so res rural and boorish, of the coarse, strong spirits of the happy-go-lucky, irresponsibles that work as field hands and wood-haulers ”By cracky, Grant, I just got sight of the reave you It was a beauty, wasn't it?”

Arkwright moved uneasily, fumbled at his collar, tried to smile carelessly

”I certainly a went on ”Nohat a stroke pushi+ng you over and throttling you was!” And he again laughed loudly

”I don't follow you,” said Grant sourly

”What a vanity box you are! You can't take a joke Now, they're always poking fun at me--pretty damn nasty! some of it--but don't I always look cheerful?”

”Oh--YOU!” exclaiust

”And do you knohy?” de slap on the knee ”When I find it hard to laugh I begin to think of the greatest joke of all--the joke I'll have on these merry boys when the cards are all played and I sweep the tables I think of that, and, by gosh, I fairly roar!”

”Do you talk that way to convince yourself?”

Craig's eyes were suddenly shrewd ”Yes,” said he, ”and to convince you, and a lot of other weak-minded people who believe all they hear You'll find out some day that the world thinks with its ears and its mouth, my boy But, as I say, who but I could have tumbled into such luck as cah-house' of mine at your expense?”

”Don't see it,” said Grant

”Why, can't you see that it puts you out of business with Margaret?

She's not the sort of woman to take to the fellow that shows he's the weaker”

”Well, I'll be--daot your nerve! To say such a thing to a man you've just asked a favor of”

”Not at all,” cried Craig airily ”Facts are facts Why deny theed his shoulders ”Well, let it pass Whether it's settled h--settled her with me Do you know, Josh, I've had no use for her since I can't explain it”

”Vanity,” said Craig ”You are vain, like all people who don't talk about themselves The whole human race is vain--individually and collectively Now, if a man talks about himself as I do, why, his vanity froths away har vanity You think of nothing but yourselves--how you look--how you feel--how you are iet for yourself--self--self--self, day and night You don't like Margaret any more because she saw you humiliated Where would I be if I were like that? Why, I'd be dead or hiding in the brush; for I've had nothing but insults, humiliations, sneers, snubs, all my life Crow's my steady diet, old pal And I fatten and flourish on it”