Hastings did not seem surprised. “Ah!” he said, “I guess it’s over that mortgage of his. It would be awkward for you and Gregory if Edmonds took the homestead and turned him out.”
Sally’s face grew white, but she met his gaze steadily.
“Oh,” she replied, “that’s not what I would mind the most.”
Hastings reflected a moment or two. He thought that it was a very difficult admission for the girl to make, and that she had made it suggested that Hawtrey might become involved in more serious difficulties. He had also a strong suspicion of what they were likely to be.
“Sally,” questioned Hastings quietly, “you are afraid of Edmonds making him do something you would not like?”
Though she did not answer directly, he saw the shame in the girl’s face, and remembered that he was one of Wyllard’s trustees.
“I must raise that money—now—and I don’t know where to get more than five hundred dollars from. I might manage that,” she said.
“Well,” answered Hastings, “you want me to lead you then, and I’m not sure that I can. Still, if you’ll wait a few minutes I’ll see what I can do.”
Sally left him, and he turned to his wife, whose expression suggested that she had overheard part of what was said and had guessed the rest.
“You mean to raise that money? After all, we are friends of his, and it may save him from letting Edmonds get his grip upon the Range,” she said.