“I have been Overseer at Beulah Land for a large number of years, and I believe I have given satisfaction.” Both Leon and Sarah blinked assent, as the smallest gesture they could make consistent with good manners and the truth. “I have just come into possession of a property—done legally and with no objections having been raised—as there could not have been, legally and logically.” He paused again but had to do without even the smallest gesture of comment from the Kendrick husband and wife, as he privately thought of them. “I have been long familiar with the problems as well as the best possibilities of the land and hands and livestock that constitute Beulah Land. Have I not?” Leon and Sarah nodded their heads once, in such near unison they might have been Otis and Lotus in the schoolroom. “The new property I have been but recently possessed of is, as you know, that which has been known as the Anderson Farm, or the Anderson Place. As you know also, its borders are, in part, Beulah Land’s. Therefore, I say it will be logical and practical for me to continue to be the Overseer here, and manage my own adjoining property too, with no sacrifice of attention to my previous duties and obligations.”

Sarah and Leon looked at each other, Sarah without changing expression, Leon smiling his relief. Watching, Roscoe noted the difference in their reactions and understood perfectly well what lay back of them. After allowing a pause to endure for a suitable dignified time and a little beyond, he said, “If you have confidence in my capabilities, I shall continue here in my present situation. But—with your agreement—I shall live, my wife and children and myself, at the new Elk Place.”

Leon and Sarah looked briefly startled on hearing his name for the old Anderson Place, but after a questioning glance at Sarah, Leon said, “Where you live is as you please. The house you have here is yours for as long as you like.”

“I no longer require it,” Roscoe said with satisfaction; and because he had observed Leon’s growing relief during the course of the interview, he allowed himself the pleasure of adding, “Mrs. Elk and myself and our children will be more comfortably positioned in the new house over there.”

Leon nodded, impatient to end the interview now that he was assured of Roscoe’s staying. “Very well.”

“We are then in agreement and accord?” Roscoe said.

“Certainly,” Leon said.

“Then I thank you and bid you good day.” Roscoe repeated his earlier head nods. “Mrs. Kendrick. Mr. Kendrick.” They nodded back at him, and he found the door and went out.

As soon as he had gone, Sarah said, “If Floyd had not left us!”

“What?” She had surprised him.

“Floyd could be Overseer, and we could tell Roscoe Elk to go and be damned.”

“Floyd?”

“Yes, certainly, Floyd. He knew every bit as much as Roscoe.”