The professor started perceptibly. She did not understand that all had been done under his supervision; he had tried to impress upon her his great desire to help her, but no words of praise fell from her lips for him. He would have willingly given worlds had she said that he was "a dum good bloke."
"They are all sorry for you and your father," he ended lamely.
"It was the student, Graves, what brought Daddy the money," she burst out with a vivid blush.
"No, the student, Graves, had nothing to do with it," was the grim reply.
"He's a-been prayin' since Daddy went away—that air somethin'," Tess said stubbornly.
Professor Young rose—then seated himself again. He had come for something else, something that meant work and satisfaction for him.
"Now that your father is sure to be saved, will you leave this hut?" he asked peremptorily.
"Nope!"
"But it's not fit for you to be here alone, Tessibel. Listen ... I'll save your father's squatter rights, if you will study in some good school until he returns."
"Aw, cuss! Who air to pay all the money?" Tess got to her feet with effort.