CHAPTER XII
THE MARSHES REUNITED
Pop entered the house. He wanted advice and he wanted it bad. He knew that ordinarily he would have gone to Mrs. Dean—a woman would help so much at a time like this. But Dean met him in the hall.
“Hello, Pop—what’s the trouble?” asked Dean.
“Hello, Jack. I can’t say whether it’s trouble or not. What I want is advice. Maybe you can give it to me, although I figured Mrs. Dean would be better.”
“Tell me, I may be able to help.” Dean was surprised at the agitation of the older man.
Pop told his story. He did not keep any of the details from Dean. The latter listened, his astonishment growing all the time. 109
“You see, Jack, it’s this way. If they come here, my wife will see me. She probably hates me. I cannot hope that she will understand. On the other hand, I want so much to be with her, I am going to be foreman and that means I can support her comfortably. But I probably would make her miserable if I entered into her life again. What do you say?”
“Let us ask Mrs. Dean. She will give you the right answer.”