Emulous says you and them had an appointment
orsomethin. I was a very proud girlwhen I married him. He took the lamp from the
table and turned toward the door at thefoot of the stairs.
And Ive generally understood, he added with agrin,
that it took two to make a bargain. I have heard it said that his marrying me,
whenwe were both so young, was a mistake on his part. He did not notice the twinkle;
hischair had been hitched perceptibly nearer the door.
The back room was small; the other backroom was of
good size. Well, Banks,rising to his feet, it looks as if this was all wed have time
forto-night. Come and see me when youve thought it out. Tadgett, although farfrom
young, was a sufferer from it.
But times change,and manners change with em, I
suppose. I am almost sorry I let you talk with Abijah last night.
Davidson, the head of the firm, is the fatherof one
of my best friends. Then addressing Banks, So thats all twas,eh?
To the young mans surprise, he
chuckledgrimly.
Emulous says you and them had an appointment
orsomethin. His allowance was notlarge, but it was sufficient.
Shellhear you go and shell suspect that you are
running away. As he passed the door ofMargaret Bradfords room her voice spoke his
name. We havent either of us eaten any breakfast.
Hewas leaning forward in the armchair, staring at
the carpet. I tell you we havent got time to waste on all that to-night. Go to
sleep; thats what I am going to do.
Banks took it listlessly, said good nightand left
the room.
By accident, something to do with a gun he was
handling.
Evidently she had doneas he requested and had not
waited up for him. Uncle Abijah wasglorifying him last night. The errands being
purely fictitious, Banks had no satisfactoryanswer ready.
He closed the door of his own room before she could
say more. I tell you shecant afford to live in the city as her kind ought to
live.
She caught fire off the California coast and
burned.
Davidson, the head of the firm, is the fatherof one
of my best friends.
Your father, if he had been alive, would have told
you. Why, yes, he admitted, not too graciously, I was going out.
For the first time there was a doubt, anunanswered
question, in his mind.
Im a Bradford as much as the rest of you, or I
alwayssupposed I was. That air-tightcant be fixed for less than seven dollars.