Every day I thought of his return. He was twenty-nine now. How would he look? not like Homer—I wanted him to have his own individuality.
We went on very comfortably. Dan looked after business better, though he made some trips away—two or three days at a time. I said to Sophie, "I think that about Polly was awful gossip. Dan does stay at home a good deal."
She shook her head dubiously. "It came very straight to me. But Polly has been away some latterly. I suppose we will presently see her blossoming out of widow's weeds, and she'll capture some one with money again. You mark my words."
There was one point Dan did not try to overcome. He did not, would not, like young John, who was doing well and a favorite with his employers. He remarked it.
"Cousin Ruth," he asked, one of the Sundays he was specially invited, which meant that Dan would not be at home, "why does Mr. Hayne dislike me so? I don't do anything to him. Is it because your father does a little in a money way for me? I mean to pay it all back as I get along. And the house is uncle's, I suppose? I'm not going to ask anything outright. You've both been so kind, and sometimes I feel as if I rather sneaked in, don't you know," and there was a perplexed light in his eyes.
"Nonsense!" I returned decidedly. "He used to be curt to his own brother Ben at times. Men who have to order others about and swear at cattle and all that get brusque ways."
"You see my brother didn't like to have me round, why I never could quite tell, unless he thought mother was taking a double share out of the farm, and I worked like a trooper out of school hours. I've seen just the same look in Mr. Hayne's eyes."
"You come for father's sake," I made answer.
Nevertheless, I had some misgivings. I seemed to be leading a double life. I was smoothing out the thorns and crookedness between father and Dan, I was having this pleasant young fellow on the sly. Sometimes I had a strong mind to ask father to change the deed of the house and let Dan have it when I died. But on the other hand, Dan was spending money freely everywhere. He did bet on games and cards, and on the Indian races. He gave a supper to the men occasionally. Of course, he always won on Chita, perhaps on other risks. He was very free handed.
Father had so few wants, and no extravagances. Surely he had the right to spend a little on his own kin.