Wally raised both hands with a soft smile. “I’ve got two of ‘em.”

############

Wally quickened his pace along the righthand furrow of mud that formed half of the lane leading to the Darcy farm as darkness began to settle over the valley. The visitor’s hands were rubbing together vigorously beneath a blast of his warm breath when a slightly older man approached from the cowshed opposite the farmyard from the house. “Good afternoon!”

“Afternoon.” The overalled man tugged at the brim of his hat in greeting, though his face did not smile. “How can I help you?”

“Mister Evans over at Stuart & Johnson’s told me you’re looking for help.”

The man peered intensely at Wally’s pristine clothing. “You ever worked on a farm before?”

“Never, but I’m willing to learn.”

The man in overalls was already turning his head before Wally gave his answer. “Mister Darcy!”

“Mister Darcy” emerged from the cowshed, his own overalls splattered with mud, and pulled a pair of leather gloves off his hands as he approached. Unlike the first host, he smiled warmly in Wally’s direction, and even shook his hand. “Frank Darcy.”

“Wally Bayer. Mister Evans told me down at Stuart & Johnson’s that you’re looking for a hand.”

“He’s never worked on a farm before, Mister Darcy.”