`` As long as I stay here old Stephen will haunt me , sure as fate . Wonder what he was praying for tonight . He always used to say the Lord would provide , but He do n't appear to have done it . Well , I ai n't His deputy . '' The next afternoon Ben Butler went over to Greenvale and called at Stephen Strong 's . He found only the old man at home . Old Stephen did not recognize him at first , but made him heartily welcome when he did . `` Ben , I do declare ! Ben Butler ! How are you ? How are you ? Sit down , Ben -- here , take this chair . Where on earth did you come from ? '' `` Baxter just now -- Kootenay on the large scale , '' answered Ben . `` 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 XXXXX !
Baxter Ben Butler Greenvale Kootenay Stephen Strong afternoon deputy first