Ida smiled. “Then I must explain. Jake is rash and fond of excitement and gay society. He makes friends easily and trusts those he likes, but this has some drawbacks because his confidence is often misplaced. Now I don’t think you would find it difficult to gain some influence over him.”
“And what would you expect me to do afterwards?”
“You might begin by trying to make him see how interesting his new occupation is.”
“That might be harder than you think,” Dick replied. “Molding concrete and digging irrigation ditches have a fascination for me, but I dare say it’s an unusual taste. Your brother mightn’t like weighing cement in the hot mixing sheds or dragging a measuring chain about in the sun.”
“It’s very possible,” Ida agreed with a hint of dryness. “I want you to show him what it means; make him feel the sense of power over material. Jake’s rather boyish, and a boy loves to fire a gun because something startling happens in obedience to his will when he pulls the trigger. Isn’t it much the same when one gives the orders that shatter massive rocks and move ponderous stones? However, that’s not all. I want you to keep him at the dam and prevent his making undesirable friends.”
“Though it’s not the thing I’m cut out for, I’ll try,” said Dick, with some hesitation. “I’m surprised that you should put your brother in my charge, after what you know about me.”
“You were unfortunate, negligent, perhaps, for once.”
“The trouble is that my friends and relations seemed to think me dishonest. At least, they believed that my getting into disgrace was quite as bad.”
“I don’t,” said Ida calmly. “What I ask will need some tact, but if you’ll promise to look after Jake, I shall feel satisfied.”
Dick was silent for the next few moments, watching the phosphorescent foam stream back from the launch’s bows. Then he said: “Thank you, Miss Fuller. In a way, it’s embarrassing to feel you trust me; but I’ll do what I can to deserve it.”