“Clagg isn’t often wrong, and this time he’s certain of what he believes,” replied Probasco, solemnly. “Now you can understand why I feel less than I ever did before like shuttin’ that rascal out from under this roof, whether his grandfathers owned it or not. Now you know why, as I told Mr. Clagg, I’d like him to take away himself an’ every belongin’ he’s got under it. I’m through with him. A blackguard and coward, besides all the rest of his wickedness! If he does turn up here in the course of the next few days or weeks I sha’n’t tell him just that; but I’m going to remind him that this island’s mine, if I pay my rent, an’ henceforth he can stay away. What do you think about that, Loreta?”
“I—I reckon you’re about right, Obed,” responded Loreta, meekly. Apparently she realized there was no use a-wasting interest in so worthless and unsafe a direction.
“A great story, isn’t it, Mr. Philip?” Probasco demanded, as his wife rose to set supper on, but stood looking out of the window sadly.
“Yes—yes—a pretty bad one,” assented Touchtone.
He was about to add in as cool and indifferent a tone as he could command, “I wish you could just describe this Mr. Jennison a little more closely for me. Is he light or dark?” He cut short the question unuttered. Gerald was present. But, lo and behold! Mrs. Loreta nearly spoiled his generous precaution. She turned from the window abruptly.
“I’ve got a photograph of Mr. Jennison. Would you care to see it?”
“A photograph!” replied Gerald, “yes; ever so much! I’d be glad to see what such a bad man looks like.”
“Like a very good-looking man,” returned Mrs. Probasco from behind the supper-table. “I’ll get it just as soon as I pour this milk out.”
The light shone on Philip’s face. Gerald was looking at the cat rubbing herself against Towzer. Philip quickly shook his head at Mrs. Probasco and laid his finger on his lips. She nodded, surprised, but obedient. Smash on the floor fell the large yellow bowl she carried. Obed and Gerald and Philip started. Gerald ran around the table to see what the calamity amounted to.