Alton made a last endeavour. "I know what you must think of me, and it hurts," he said. "Still, that is a little thing."
The girl checked him by a gesture, and the man stopped with his meaning unexpressed. "You have made as much evident," she said.
Alton turned towards her father. "I'm afraid the suggestion I wished to make would be out of place just now," he said. "Still, I had ridden over in the hope that you and Miss Townshead would stay with us at Somasco while you decided on your next step."
"We have to thank you for your offer, but your surmise is correct," said Townshead.
Alton said nothing further, but went out into the clearing and stood apart from the rest while the auctioneer disposed of the household effects, until a little cabinet was offered, when he moved up to the table and bid savagely. Hallam for some reason bid against him, and only stopped when he had quadrupled its value. Alton flung down a roll of dollar bills and then turned to a man close by. "Will you take that in to Miss Townshead, and not tell her who bought it?" he said. "It was her mother's, and I believe she values it."
"I'll do my best," said the other man dryly. "Still, I'm not good at fixing up a story, and Miss Nellie's not a fool."
"Well," said Alton simply, "there's another thing. Where is Townshead going?"
The rancher smiled a little. "He's coming home with me. Susie's driving over with the wagon."
Alton nodded. "Now you needn't be touchy, but we've fruit and things at Somasco you haven't got," said he. "Well, I want you to come round with the wagon."
The rancher straightened himself a trifle. "My place isn't Somasco, but it will be a mean day when I can't feed my friends," said he.