“Hello, Farnsworth! Well, but I’m glad to see you! You’re looking fine, barring a deep line of care and responsibility that has furrowed itself into your brow.”
“Oh, I’m all right, especially now that I’m back home.”
“Home it is, my boy. You’re a pretty big order for a son, but I’m all ready to adopt you.”
“All right, Dad, give me fatherly advice when needed.”
And then to Farnsworth’s deep regret, Philip Van Reypen came to call.
The two men met courteously and were outwardly calm, but in each heart rankled a distaste of the other.
Perhaps it was absurd, but Farnsworth was jealous of Philip, and though confident of Patty’s love and loyalty, he hated to think of Van Reypen in New York while he must be in Washington.
As to Philip, he was frankly envious of Little Billee, and moreover, was determined to cut him out and regain Patty for himself if it could possibly be done. Phil was not dishonourable,—at least, he didn’t think he was,—for he deemed all fair in love and war.
But Captain Farnsworth was very glad when he learned that Van Reypen must of necessity be in Wilmington almost all the time. To be sure, his leave of absence seemed to occur very often, but after all he didn’t really live in New York now, and that cheered Little Billee’s heart.
“When will you fly with me?” Van Reypen asked of Patty, and he purposely gave his question a sentimental flavour that startled Farnsworth by its implication.