“Much obliged,” said Phœnix, taking off his hat and wiping the perspiration from his heated forehead, “but I guess I won’t. I rather like walking, especially on a fine day like this.”
“A blazing fine day,” said Phil, laughing; “but if I can’t do anything for you I’ll push on, or I’ll be late for dinner.”
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAP ENTERS THE FOG.
That afternoon Phil went up into the gun-room to see if Susan had obeyed his orders in regard to putting Old Bruden back into its proper place, but the gun was not there.
He was a good deal annoyed at this, for he did not want to have any further dispute with the housekeeper; but he comforted himself by thinking that perhaps she had not yet been up-stairs, and that she would replace the gun that night when she went to her room.
But the next morning, when he visited the gun-room, Old Bruden was not to be seen.
Things now looked very gloomy to our young friend. He did not like quarrelling, and hard words, whether given or taken, were equally unpleasant to him; and yet he plainly saw that if his authority was to be worth anything that he must have a conflict with the housekeeper, which would be pretty sure to be a tough one.
He had already suggested an improvement in his meals, which had been received by Susan in a very contemptuous way.
While he was trying to make up his mind as to what course he would take to bring the housekeeper to a proper sense of his position, he saw Chap Webster coming up to the house. It was evident from his friend’s countenance that he had a plan on his mind.