His aunt’s greeting and loving words of praise after she had heard of his experience, however, did much to restore his good spirits.
“Who is Viola?” he asked, as they were seated at dinner.
“She is the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Rivertown,” replied the widow, a shade of sorrow passing over her face. “What makes you ask?”
“Because she said my steering over the embankment was perfectly fine!”
Again the cloud passed over Mrs. Watson’s face and this time it did not lift.
“She’s a very sweet and lovely girl, Harry,” she replied. “But she isn’t the sort you should choose for a companion.”
At the words, the boy looked up quickly at his aunt and what he read in her face made him flush.
“I mean, she is very rich and I think—that is, I have heard—her family intend her to marry Elmer Craven.”
“He’s rich, too, isn’t he?”
“Yes.”