“As for that–” began Colonel Price.
“You knew it, Miss Price,” Lucas cut in. “Why didn’t you make him tell?” 340
“No,” said Alice, quietly, “I didn’t know, Mr. Lucas. I only believed in him. Besides that, there are some things that you can’t make a gentleman tell!”
“Just so,” said Judge Maxwell, coming down from the bench with his books under his arm.
“Bless your heart, honey,” said Mrs. Newbolt, touching Alice’s hair with gentle, almost reverent hand, “you knew him better than his old mother did!”
Colonel Price bowed ceremoniously to Mrs. Newbolt.
“I want you and Joe to come home with us for some refreshment,” said he, “after which the boy and I must have a long, long talk. Mr. Hammer, sir,” said he, giving that astonished lawyer his hand, “I beg the honor of shaking hands with a rising gentleman, sir!”
CHAPTER XXII
A SUMMONS OF THE NIGHT
There was a voice of moaning abroad in the night. It sounded as the rain swept through the rocking trees and bent its spears against Judge Maxwell’s study windows; it sighed in his chimney like an old man turning the ashes of spent dreams. It was an unkind night for one to be abroad, for the rain seemed as penetrating as sorrow. Few passed upon the street beneath the judge’s windows where his dim light glowed.