ways by himself too much. One or two friends. But he was different somehow. We're sure glad he met you, Harry. He's took hold real well out here. Good job. Nice home. Well, it's the best thing for him. I guess it's the only thing. I'm glad he met you. There' re some things--well, you know what I mean. There' re some things I don't talk to Anna about. You know what I mean, don't you? But we're sure glad he met you, boy."

After a moment he said:

"We're getting old and he's all we've got."

On Friday evening Joe and Bob settled down in the living room to watch television while Anna and I washed the dishes.

"My, it won't be long now," said Anna, glancing at the calendar above the sink. "Just till Monday."

"I hate to see you go," I said. "I really do. Why don't you stay longer?"

"Not this time, Harry. We want to spend a month in Los Angeles and then drive back to Deep River before the real hot weather sets in. Joe has some property he has to look after.'

The television show was loud; Anna went over and shut the kitchen door.

“But Joe and I'll both feel better now that we've seen how nice you and Bob are fixed. We got sort of worried about him. But he's sure fond of you. In all his letters Harry this and Harry that. I guess it was through you he got his job, wasn't it?"

"Oh no, not especially. happened to know someone."

I just

"Well, it was mighty lucky for him. Bob's not the pushing type,

one

never was. I remember when he was a little fellow it was the same. He needs someone, I guess someone older than him to sort of lean on."

"He's doing well at his job," I said. "It's a good company and they like him.""

"Oh, he' 11 work hard all right. No one can ever say Bob's lazy. I didn't mean that. It's just-well -" she spoke looking down at the dishpan full of soapy water-"it's just that I've always been afraid Bob would have a hard time. I guess I know him pretty well. I've always thought about the boy a lot. I guess I understand him, maybe better than Joe does. You know how it is. Joe wanted him to be this or that. Take over the hardware store. Go hunting. I don't know what all. But I said to him 'For landsakes, Joe, leave him alone. If the boy doesn't want to go into the store, why should he? He's got his own life to lead. Your Pa wanted you to be a farmer and what did you do? Ran away and joined the Navy!' There's one thing about Bob. Once he gets an idea into his head there's no stopping him. As soon as he came back from the war, I knew he wouldn't stay in Deep River."

She was standing plates one after the other in the rack and I was wiping them dry.

"I feel I've come to know you too, Harry, since we've been here. I think you understand Bob and I know you're fond of him."

"Yes, I said.

"I think I know how you feel about him. I've seen it in a hundred little ways. Like last Sunday with that fellow, Hugh. Shucks, you didn't have to worry about him. My land, no. He was just a nobody.