splashed cold water into his face, went out again and down the stairs. He took his hat. His mother called, from the dining room: “Wint--there’s ice cream! Don’t you--” “No--thanks,” he said. “I’m going uptown.” He closed the door upon their protests, and went down to the street and turned toward the town. His way led past Joan’s house. He paused at her gate for a moment, hesitant, frowning, miserable, lonely. Then he went on. Almost every one goes uptown in Hardiston at night. The seven-fifteen train, bringing mail, is one excuse. The moving pictures are an allurement. The streets are better filled in early evening than at any other time of the day. Wint began presently to meet acquaintances. At the hotel, he encountered Jack Routt. Routt greeted him eagerly. “Wint! Hello there! Care for a game of billiards?” “I’d just as soon.” “Come along, then.” They went through the hotel office, down three steps, and into the pool room. There were three tables, two for pool and one for billiards. A game of Kelly pool was in progress at one table, but the billiard table was free. They chalked their cues. “Half a dollar?” Routt challenged. Wint nodded. “All right.” Routt won the draw and shot first. The game went jerkily forward. Neither was an expert player. A run of ten was an event. Wint played silently, his thoughts elsewhere. Routt was cheerful, loquacious, friendly. Wint envied him faintly. Every one liked Jack, respected him.... Routt won the game with a run of four, and laid his cue on the table. “I’ll be back in a minute, Wint,” he said. “You don’t mind waiting?” “I’ll go with you,” Wint countered. Routt shook his head. “Now, Wint--no, I won’t let you. You know--play it safe, man. You can’t afford to monkey with this.” “Don’t be a fool, Jack.” “Oh, Wint, I mean it. Leave it alone. That’s the only safe way--for you.” Wint’s eyes flamed suddenly. “Aren’t you coming?” he asked, and started for the door. Routt followed, still protesting. “Wint--don’t be a darned fool.” “Don’t be a preacher, Jack.” “Please, Wint--leave it alone. Come on back. I won’t go either.” Wint said nothing, but he went steadily ahead; and Routt yielded. They left the hotel, went half a block, entered an alley, climbed a stair.... County option had closed the saloons; but Hardiston was still far from being a dry town. When they returned to the pool room half an hour later, Wint’s cheeks were unnaturally flushed, and he laughed more easily than before. CHAPTER V COUNCIL OF WAR Amos Caretall and his daughter had supper--dinner was at midday in the Caretall household--alone together. Old Maria Hale cooked the supper, and Agnes brought it to the table. It was a good supper. Fried chicken, for example; and mashed potatoes as creamy as--cream. And afterwards, apple tapioca 

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