`` Thought I 'd come over and see you again . Did n't expect you 'd remember me at all . '' `` Remember you ! Why , of course I do . I have n't ever forgot you , Ben . Many 's the time I 've wondered where you was and how you was getting on . And you tell me you 've been in the Kootenay ! Well , well , you have seen a good bit more of the world than I ever have . You 've changed a lot , Ben . You ai n't a boy no longer . D'ye mind all the pranks you used to play ? '' Ben laughed sheepishly . `` I reckon I do . But it ai n't myself I come here to talk about -- not much to say if I did . It 's just been up and down with me . How are you yourself , sir ? They were telling me over at Baxter that you were kind of in trouble . '' The old man 's face clouded over ; all the sparkle went out of his kind blue eyes . `` Yes , Ben , yes , '' he said , with a heavy sigh . `` I 've kind of gone downhill , that 's a fact .
The old farm has to go , Ben -- I 'm sorry for that -- I 'd have liked XXXXX have ended my days here , but it 's not to be .
Baxter Ben at in of on over than to with