In his part of the West, a man would no more think of giving a false impression of his financial standing to alter his position in one’s regard, than he would wear corsets.  Money was of small consequence; its sequelae of less.  Men spoke openly of how much they made; how they liked the job; how their claims were paying; such matters were neutral ground of chance conversation, as the weather is in the East.  The rapid and unpredictable changes of fortune gave a tendency to make light of one’s present condition.  A man would say “I’m busted” without any more feeling than he would say “I have a cold.”  Now, in Fairfield, that is not likely lonesome in that respect, one of the principal objects in life was to conceal the poverty which would persist in sticking its gaunt elbows through the cloth of words spread over it.  Red asked straight-forward questions—­shrewd ones, too—­seeing that the other was one of his own kind and would not resent it.

Lettis wanted nothing better than a chance to expand on the subject.  It was close to his heart.  He had been a subordinate about as long as a proud and masterful young fellow ought to be.  Now he was quivering to try his own strength, and seeing, for his part, that his host was inspired with a genuine interest and not curiosity, he gave him all the information in his power.

“But a plant like that is going to cost some money, ain’t it?” asked Red.

“Too much for me, I’m afraid,” replied Lettis.  “I have five thousand to put in, and I suppose I could borrow the rest, but that’s saddling the business with too heavy charges right in the beginning.  Still, it may not be as bad as I fancy.”

Red drummed on the table, thinking.  “I wouldn’t mind getting into a business of some kind, as long as it was making things,” he said.  “I don’t hanker to keep store much—­suppose I go along with you, when you look up how much straw is raised and the rest of it?”

“Would you?” cried the young fellow, eagerly.  “By George, sir, I wish you could see your way clear to take hold of it.  Could you stand ten thousand, for instance?  Excuse the question, but I’m so anxious over this——­”

“Lord!  What’s the harm of asking facts?” said Red.  Then with a gleam of genial pride, “Ten thousand wouldn’t break me by a durn sight”.

Lettis’ boyish face fairly glowed.  “It was my good angel made me stop in front of your fence,” he said.  “I saw you all eating in here and you looked so jolly, that I thought I’d stop, on the chance you might be the man I was looking for; now I’ll go right on and see Mr. Demilt and find out what he wants to do in the matter.”

“Wait for the waggon and you can ride,” said Red.  “Boy’s gone home to see his dad about working for me this afternoon; in the meantime, it you’re not too proud to take hold and help us with this dod-ratted fence, I’ll be obliged to you.”

“Bring on your fence!  I’m ready,” said Lettis.