V
Grace had not been mistaken in thinking that John’s presence would exert a cheering influence on the household. It was clearly written in the faces of Mrs. Durland and Ethel that they believed Grace was not beyond redemption so long as she was capable of appreciating the sterling worth of a high-minded and ambitious young man like Moore. John was not without a sense of the fitness of things. When Mrs. Durland and Ethel showed a disposition to maintain the conversation on lofty heights John indulged them for a time and then concentrated upon Stephen Durland. Farm machinery seemed to John a subject likely to interest the silent head of the house. Durland was soon painstakingly answering Moore’s questions as to the possibility of further reducing the man power required in crop production.
“I’ve hopped the clods since I could reach a plow handle,” said John, “and it does seem to me that with the tractor coming in——”
Durland delivered what amounted to a condensed lecture on the subject, spurred on by John’s sincere interest and practical questions.
“Thank you, Mr. Durland. I’ve been wanting to get an expert opinion on those points for a long time. I tell you,” he said glancing round at the others, “it does tickle me to run into a man who really knows.”
“Father’s an authority on those things,” said Grace proudly. “He reads everything that’s written on mechanics.”
“Stephen ought to know!” remarked Mrs. Durland with a sigh which Grace translated as signifying that it was too bad that his knowing really profited him so little.
“We’re so sorry,” said Mrs. Durland, when the cold ham, baked potatoes and canned peas had received attention and Ethel brought in a bread pudding—“it’s a great grief to all of us that Grace had to leave college. It meant so much to her. But her spirit about it all has been fine.”
“Well,” remarked John, after he had met Ethel’s apology for the pudding with the assurance that it was his favorite of all desserts—“Well, I’m not sure it isn’t a good thing for Grace to go into business for awhile. I argue that things somehow work out for good in the long run. Her English and the sociology courses were what interested her most; and being in a big place like Shipley’s and running into all sorts and conditions of folks the way she’s got to is bound to have a broadening effect. It’s right along the line of things she’s keenest about.”
“But, Mr. Moore, what we don’t like is the unfortunate contacts with people who may not be—wholly desirable acquaintances,” suggested Ethel.
Grace frowned. It was ungracious of Ethel to draw John into the discussion of a subject that had been a matter of contention in the family. But John, having convinced Mrs. Durland of his appreciation of her hospitality by accepting a second helping of the pudding, met the situation promptly.
“Well, now Miss Durland, who’s going to draw the line between the desirable and undesirable? Now I’m not saying that we haven’t a right to choose our friends; but for me, I like all kinds. Why, on that farm in Kansas where I slept in the hay mow for the sake of the ventilation and to study the constellations through the cracks, a fugitive burglar crawled in one night and we nearly scared each other to death! But I made a friend of that poor chap. Tucked him away and fed him for a couple of days. Had a letter from him last week. He’s away up in Canada working in a lumber camp. Now sleeping in the hay with that poor devil didn’t do me any harm. Maybe I did him some good! He swore he wasn’t guilty, so my conscience was easy about not calling up the sheriff and turning him over. Give everybody the benefit of the doubt; that’s my idea!”
It was not Ethel’s way to give any one the benefit of the doubt. Mr. Durland covered a queer little chuckle by pretending to cough. Grace tried to change the subject; but Ethel was not to be thwarted in her attempt to elicit from John an expression of disapproval of Grace’s course in becoming a salesgirl.
“That’s a good story, Mr. Moore, but when you think of a girl like Grace, being numbered and put in with girls who’ve had nothing like her advantages—that’s what I meant. Not that Grace won’t be equal to the test, but——”
“Well,” John interrupted, “I’ve never been in these big stores much but this morning while I was trying to get my eye on Grace I saw all those girls stepping round and I thought what a fine looking lot they were! And all busy and right on the job! Now there’s that Miss Kirby—was that the name, Grace?”
“Yes,” Grace answered, strongly inclined to giggle, now that the innocent and well-meaning John had brought Irene to the table.
“You take a girl like that,” said John warming to his work, “moving around like a duchess, and with that way about her that makes you know she’s onto her job! I’ll bet there’s lots of ’em just like her. I say you’ve got to hand it to ’em. I tell you, Mrs. Durland, while we’ve got girls like Miss Kirby and Grace Durland I’ll say America’s safe! Wasn’t it nice, Grace, the way Miss Kirby fixed it for you to get off. You could see she was pleased clear through to have the authority!”
“I don’t think—” began Ethel; but scenting battle, Mrs. Durland rose from the table.
“You and Mr. Moore go into the parlor, Grace. Ethel and I will straighten up out here.”
“Not on your tin-type!” John protested. “I just love to dry dishes. You just let me take a hand. I’ll pay for every plate I smash!”
As he refused to be denied Grace found an apron for him and they made merry over the dishwashing.
While they were in the midst of it Ethel came to the door to say that Grace was wanted on the telephone. Ethel’s manner of conveying the information prepared Grace for Irene’s voice.
“Can you talk a minute? I had a telegram from some friends of ours this afternoon. They wanted to be remembered to you; that’s all. I think your particular friend will stop on his way east. Tell me, did you get in bad?”
“Oh, it’s all right now,” Grace replied. “I’ve got company and we mustn’t talk.”
“I understand perfectly. I’m spending an evening at home for a change and I just thought I’d let you know our gay cavaliers hadn’t forgotten us. Is your company exciting?”
“Just nice. You met him this morning.”
“I’d guessed it. And you took him home for supper, like the good little girl you are! Well, it’s a joy to meet one of the unvarnished occasionally. I may try to take him away from you; just hand him that!”