“Very well, Daddy.”
Mr. Van Patten smiled.
“Joe says he finds Carl a fine fellow.”
The girl glanced up swiftly at Barnes. He met her eyes fairly. Then he nodded.
“Yes,” he answered, “I think he is.”
“But Daddy,” she exclaimed, and her cheeks grew a deeper crimson as she spoke, “you have seen him. You know.”
“The young are better judges of the young, than the old are,” he answered.
And reaching for her hand, he patted it tenderly.
“Carl has often said he wished to see more of you, Daddy. Perhaps now that you’re stronger—”
“Joe must see for me,” answered Mr. Van Patten. “I leave Carl to him for the present.”