“Forgive me, mother! I oughtn’t to have told it that way. But what does it mean? Why should you want him to go?”
“Did you not hear me say I would not have dismissed him? No, dear. There is something in this I don’t understand. How do we know but that all the other ‘boys’ who left so suddenly have been deceived in just this way? As long as there was food enough to eat and a roof to shelter them the men whom your father befriended and who, in turn have befriended us, were as welcome to Sobrante as my own children. I must think this over. We must then find Ephraim and bring him back. We must. There! We’ll not discuss it any more at present. You are keeping Mr. Hale waiting and that is rudeness. Go, now, and explain all your father’s plans to him, as you ride.”
“I’d so much rather stay with you. I don’t like to leave you now.”
“I shall be busy and you’ll be back for dinner.”
“I’d like to look for that paper–the title.”
“When you come back.”
“Good-by, then, and don’t do any hard work. I’ll send the children up to stay around the house. That will be one worry off your mind.”
When she had again sprung into her saddle, Lady Jess apologized for keeping Mr. Hale so long, and suggested:
“Suppose we ride first to the mines, while it is coolest. Then come around by the olive and orange orchards. We can rest at the lemon house awhile. It’s interesting to see how they are cared for, or so most strangers think.”
“Anything and anywhere suits me, for I’m full of curiosity about Sobrante. How did your father happen to take up so many different lines of industry?”