Adventures in Contentment

"Have you seen a brown cow?" I asked. He was still so astonished that he began to look around him; he thrust his hands nervously into his coat pockets and pulled them out again. "I think you won't find her in there," I said, seeking to relieve his embarrassment. But I didn't know, then, how very serious a person I had encountered. "No--no," he stammered, "I haven't seen your cow." So I explained to him with sobriety, and at some length, the problem I had to solve. He was greatly interested and inasmuch as he was going my way he offered at once to assist me in my search. So we set off together. He was rather stocky of build, and decidedly short of breath, so that I regulated my customary stride to suit his deliberation. At first, being filled with the spirit of my adventure, I was not altogether pleased with this arrangement. Our conversation ran something like this: STRANGER: Has she any spots or marks on her? MYSELF: No, she is plain brown. STRANGER: How old a cow is she? MYSELF: This is her first calf. STRANGER: Valuable animal? MYSELF: (fencing): I have never put a price on her; she is a promising young heifer. STRANGER: Pure blood? MYSELF: No, grade. After a pause: STRANGER: Live around here? MYSELF: Yes, half a mile below here. Do you? STRANGER: Yes, three miles above here. My name's Purdy. MYSELF: Mine is Grayson. He turned to me solemnly and held out his hand. "I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Grayson," he said. "And I'm glad," I said, "to meet you, Mr. Purdy."