“How can she do it with all her money! How can she take your garden away, Grandpa?”
“He is going to put up a flat building.” Colonel Duane sank into a chair. “We can’t expect the world to stand still for us, Milly. Business is business. Mr. Goldstein says this land is too valuable to be left for an old man to go puttering about in.” He smiled pitifully.
“That is why she has gone away,” said Millicent acutely. “She was ashamed to do this to you, Grandpa.”
“Being ashamed is not in Miss Frink’s line,” he answered, and his pale, still face gave the girl the heartache. “It is the habit of her life to take advantage of business opportunities. Here came along a man with the money, and the plan. I suppose it was the natural move for her to make.”
“But she knows you, Grandpa. She knows what it will mean to you. I tell you she went away because she was ashamed to own it. There he goes, the mean thing.” Millicent watched the future owner’s departure up the street, and at once from the other direction appeared Hugh Sinclair driving the very new, very blue, very shiny roadster.
“Oh, there is Hugh!” she exclaimed, her hands clasping together. “He has come to take me driving, Grandpa. Your news put it out of my head.”
The horn of the motor sounded, and the girl waved her hand toward Hugh’s blowing hair.
“Now be very careful, Milly,” said Colonel Duane. “You’re excited, and you’re liable to say the wrong thing to Hugh. This property is Miss Frink’s, and she has a right to do just what she pleases with it. Don’t make Hugh unhappy over a matter he can’t do anything about.”
The girl caught the speaker in her strong young arms and kissed him.
“Promise me, Milly.”