Eleanor laughed. "That is what I was wondering. I almost think a man likely to get even with Mr. Merril would do what he wanted. Anyway, you know the customs of the country as well as I do, and I scarcely think Forster and his wife would mind."
Jordan rose, and kissed the child he picked up and held high in his arms. "Well," he said, "since—Forster and his wife—wouldn't mind, I shall very probably come along again by and by."
He turned and went down the veranda stairway, while the little girl looked at her companion gravely.
"I like that man. He's nice," she said. "You like him too, don't you?"
Eleanor was beckoning Jimmy, but the child went on. "Well," she said, "he thinks you nice, I know. I could tell it by the way he looked at you. Perhaps you didn't see him, but I did."
Eleanor laughed, for she had naturally noticed every glance Jordan had cast in her direction, and had understood it. That, however, did not count for very much with her. She recognized in Jordan something that pleased her, and she had a vague fancy that there were things he might be able to do for Jimmy and her father in the difficulties she foresaw. There was, she admitted reluctantly, after all, a good deal that a woman could not do; but in the meanwhile the feeling went no further. Then while Jordan and Forster harnessed the team, Jimmy joined her.
"You will have to stay in the Province, Jimmy. You can't go back to sea," she said. "Your father will need somebody beside him now."
Jimmy only smiled, but the girl made a little gesture of comprehension.
"Oh," she said, "I know how hard it is for you. You will have to give up your career."
"It can't be helped," said the man simply, "and I may make another here."