“In what way could he contaminate the boys?”
Ursula considered—and answered:
“In the way a wicked person could influence impressionable children—by making fun of high ideals; mocking at religion; applauding any clever evasion of the truth and then flying into a rage at the slightest excuse and whipping the boys if they happen to do something that annoyed him for the time being, although that same action might at a former period have brought forth commendation. I have heard him, in all seriousness, tell my little brothers that the greatest crime of all was to break the eleventh commandment, which is: ‘Thou shalt not get found out.’ There is a sturdiness about Ben that usually resisted his influence, still he is nothing but a little boy and was not always proof against Mr. Cheatham’s wiles and cleverness. As for poor little Philip, he actually was fond of the man at times and I believe Mr. Cheatham had a spark of affection for him, but nothing could be worse than to have such a man care for you. He is dishonorable, unscrupulous and vacillating in everything but villainy.”
“I thought you said both of the boys hated and feared him.”
“So they did usually, but Philip is such a baby and an ice cream cone had a marvelous effect on the poor kiddy—that and a few gentle joking words.”
“Have you never communicated with any friends in Louisville since you left?”
“I have very few friends,” and Ursula flushed painfully. “I have for so many years been so taken up with my sick mother and the children, and then Mr. Cheatham has in some underhand way cut me off from what intimates I might have had. The Trasks, at Peewee Valley, are the only real friends I own.”
“And the Trasks—have you written them?”
“No. You see I knew Mr. Cheatham would take it for granted they would keep in touch with me and would worm out of them all they knew concerning me and so I simply could not put them in the uncomfortable position of having connived with me in leaving as I did.”
“Is Mrs. Trask a young woman?”