It was all done in a quiet, unobtrusive way, but it seemed plain to me that Mr Raydon did try to keep us apart, or under his eye, during Gunson’s stay.
This was not for long. The man seemed a good deal changed, and as if dissatisfied at being so very unsuccessful; and during his visit the temptation was very strong upon me to give him a hint as to where he might go and find all that he desired. And about this time I found that Esau looked strange, and avoided me a good deal, going about as if he had something on his mind, and I was afraid to ask him what.
“Going to-morrow morning?” said Mr Raydon, as Gunson made the announcement. “That is rather soon.”
“Well, yes, it is soon,” replied Gunson; “but I may be coming back.”
“Yes, of course,” said Mr Raydon, giving him a quick look. “You may be coming back.”
These seem trifling words, but they made an impression upon me at the time, and I thought about them a good deal afterwards. In fact, I thought of them that night.
It came on very dark, and I was standing just outside our place, when I heard a step, and directly after Gunson came up slowly and thoughtfully.
“Who’s that?” he cried sharply.
I spoke, and he took my arm.
“Come and have a stroll out here,” he said; and he led me out through the gateway and down toward the river.