“Well, it was,” admitted Bob, with a misleading air of confidence. “Hereafter, of course, they’ll have me to help.”
He did not know whether it would be wise to say any more or not; but he could not resist one thrust.
“I suppose in time they will sell,” he observed carelessly. “The farm is sure to be bought up by some oil company.”
Blosser and Fluss scowled darkly and looked at Bob with closer attention.
“I didn’t know the old ladies had a nephew,” said Fluss suspiciously. “Funny they didn’t mention it when I was driving through here last spring, listing properties, eh?”
“I never knew my aunts to confide personal and private affairs to strangers,” said Bob calmly.
Blosser turned on him angrily.
“You’re fresh!” he snarled. “If you knew what was for your own good, you’d keep a civil tongue in your head. Come on—er—Elmer, we’re wasting time with this kid. We’ll come back and talk to the aunts.”
Fluss still lingered. His gray eyes appraised Bob keenly and something in their steady, disconcerting stare made Betty uneasy.