[Dark Saint Alaick]

"Here's his dollar, Sim," said Mr. Fluker, throwing it out of the window. "Nervy say
make him take it."

The vanquished, not daring to refuse, pocketed the coin, and slunk away amid the jeers of
a score of villagers who had been drawn to the scene.

In all human probability the late omission of the shaking of Sim's and Marann's hands
was compensated at their parting that afternoon. I am more confident on this point
because at the end of the year those hands were joined inseparably by the preacher. But
this was when they had all gone back to their old home; for if Mr. Fluker did not become
fully convinced that his mathematical education was not advanced quite enough for all
the exigencies of hotel-keeping, his wife declared that she had had enough of it, and that
she and Marann were going home. Mr. Fluker may be said, therefore, to have followed,
rather than led, his family on the return.

As for the deputy, finding that if he did not leave it voluntarily he would be drummed out
of the village, he departed, whither I do not remember if anybody ever knew.