The German shrugged his shoulders.

“Ah, I know not,” he answered, “He has gone is Glencoe.  The Judge is ill, Stephen.  Doctor Polk says that he has worked all his life too hard.  The Doctor and Colonel Carvel tried to get him to go to Glencoe.  But he would not budge until Miss Carvel herself comes all the way from the country yesterday, and orders him.  Ach!” exclaimed Richter, impulsively, “what wonderful women you have in America!  I could lose my head when I think of Miss Carvel.”

“Miss Carvel was here, you say?” Stephen repeated, in a tone of inquiry.

“Donner!” said Richter, disgusted, “you don’t care.”

Stephen laughed, in spite of himself.

“Why should I?” he answered.  And becoming grave again, added:  “Except on Judge Whipple’s account.  Have you heard from him to-day, Carl?”

“This morning one of Colonel Carvel’s servants came for his letters.  He must be feeling better.  I—­I pray that he is better,” said Richter, his voice breaking.  “He has been very good to me.”

Stephen said nothing.  But he had been conscious all at once of an affection for the Judge of which he had not suspected himself.  That afternoon, on his way home, he stopped at Carvel & Company’s to inquire.  Mr. Whipple was better, so Mr. Hopper said, and added that he “presumed likely the Colonel would not be in for a week.”  It was then Saturday.  Eliphalet was actually in the Colonel’s sanctum behind the partition, giving orders to several clerks at the time.  He was so prosperous and important that he could scarce spare a moment to answer Stephen, who went away wondering whether he had been wise to choose the law.

On Monday, when Stephen called at Carvel & Company’s, Eliphalet was too busy to see him.  But Ephum, who went out to Glencoe every night with orders, told him that the “Jedge was wuss, suh.”  On Wednesday, there being little change, Mrs. Brice ventured to despatch a jelly by Ephum.  On Friday afternoon, when Stephen was deep in Whittlesey and the New Code, he became aware of Ephum standing beside him.  In reply to his anxious question Ephum answered: 

“I reckon he better, suh.  He an’ de Colonel done commence wrastlin’ ’bout a man name o’ Linkum.  De Colonel done wrote you dis note, suh.”

It was a very polite note, containing the Colonel’s compliments, asking Mr. Brice to Glencoe that afternoon with whatever papers or letters the Judge might wish to see.  And since there was no convenient train in the evening, Colonel Carvel would feel honored if Mr. Brice would spend the night.  The Colonel mentioned the train on which Mr. Brice was expected.

The Missouri side of the Mississippi is a very different country from the hot and treeless prairies of Illinois.  As Stephen alighted at the little station at Glencoe and was driven away by Ned in the Colonel’s buggy, he drew in deep breaths of the sweet air of the Meramec Valley.