"So you ain't hungry yet?" asked the old man, and felt that the words were forced out of him by that obstinate cross-grain in his nature over which he had no control.
"I've just had tea."
"You haven't changed your mind since you last spoke to me, eh?"
"No, I haven't changed my mind. Why should I?"
"Getting along pretty well, then?"
"As well as I expected to."
"That's good," said Cyrus mildly. "That's good. I just dropped in to make sure that you were getting along, that's all."
"Thank you," responded Oliver, and tried from the bottom of his soul to make the words sincere.
"If the time ever comes when you feel that you have changed your mind, I'll find a place out at Matoaca City for you. I just wanted you to understand that I'd do as much for Henry's son then as now. If you weren't Henry's son, I shouldn't think twice about you."
"You mean that you'll still give me the job if I stop writing plays?"