“That sale would work something of a hardship,” remarked Hugh.
“Yes,” agreed Grimshaw, with a nonchalant rising inflection; “but there would be nothing sudden or violent about it. There are plenty of places farther out where the Duanes can go, and it is my duty to think only of Miss Frink.”
“You have her full authority?”
“Certainly. I have her full authority.”
“It is a little strange,” said Hugh, “that she never mentioned the proposition of this sale to me.”
“You think it strange?” returned Grimshaw, and there was a scarcely veiled sneer in the retort. “I believe Miss Frink has not considered you on the business side as yet.”
Hugh said no more; but less than an hour later he ran up on the Duanes’ piazza. The evening was warm, and they were sitting out.
Millicent jumped up eagerly at sight of him and he grasped her outstretched hand and held it.
“I am not satisfied, Colonel Duane, with my talk with Grimshaw,” he said.
The old gentleman looked up, patiently.