"I thought I might see your brother at the sale."
"No, he wouldn't go near it. I'll be glad when I can hand him over his share to do what he likes with."
"It's odd that I've never seen him. Why don't you make it up with him, Angus?"
Angus' mouth tightened grimly. "Make it up! Now, I'll tell you something, Faith, which you must never repeat, even to Jean: I believe he is in cahoots with Braden."
"Oh, surely not!" she cried, and when he told her the grounds of his belief she was unconvinced. "There's some mistake, Angus."
"It's not on my part. I'm through with him—except to give him his share. He shall have that, to the last cent. He shall not say I did not play fair with him."
"You would play fair with every one," she told him. "I know that."
His arm tightened for an instant by way of acknowledgment. But he found her words only just. To the best of his ability he had tried to play fair all his life. On that score he could not reproach himself at all.
They drove up to the ranch, and at the sound of wheels Jean ran out. She had been waiting, regretting that she had not accompanied them, anxious to know the worst and have it over.
"Well, dear!" said Faith tantalizingly.