Jacob considered and struck his gaitered leg with his walking-stick.
"The mind no doubt works healthiest when it's working forward," he admitted. "I know that much. Even the best of the past makes you turn to sadness rather than happiness. Because the good time has gone, I suppose, and never can come back no more."
"That's why business be such a blessing to some minds. Business always means looking forward—so your father used to say."
"He looked forward sure enough, and I've got to thank him for no little that he did," replied Bullstone. "A rare man of business, and nobody ever cut a loss and put it behind him quicker and cleaner than he did. All for land, and pretty well the last thing he said in my ear was, 'Buy in Brent.' He knew Brent to be on the up grade in his time, and he'd always buy when he could. Some nice parcels I've got for building, Billy; but most of them are not up to my selling price yet."
They talked of Brent and then Jacob looked at his watch.
"Toddle up the valley and have dinner with us."
"Not to-day. I've promised your missis to come Sunday," said William.
CHAPTER VI
HUNTINGDON WARREN
That winter passed without event and life at Red House offered no incident of apparent significance whence to date—no upraised point from which the past might be measured, or the future explored. The days repeated themselves until spring, returning, accelerated all pulses and unconsciously increased vitality and will to live and enjoy.