Virginian had ridden his horse into the railroad car, and sat down beside her, the fire in the great stone chimney of her cabin flickered quietly, its gleams now and again touching the miniature of Grandmother Stark upon the wall.

Camped on the Sunk Creek trail, the Virginian was telling himself in his blankets:—

"I ain't too old for education. Maybe she will lend me books. And I'll watch her ways and learn...stand still, Monte.... I can learn a lot more than the kids on that... There's Monte...you pie-biter, stop He has ate up your book, ma'am, but I'll get yu'..."

And then the Virginian was fast asleep.