“Oh, is that it? But I happened to go up in the attic and I found your sample books thrown behind a trunk, and I was afraid—”
“Afraid of what?” he demanded, with childish temper.
“Afraid you were giving up what seems to be a sure thing. The other ventures have been such uncertainties!” she returned, her business woman's composure unaffected by his reproachful stare.
“The books were all smutched up—too many dirty fingers afoul of them. I shall get new ones—providing I stay in that line.” He was not convincing. “We'll see—we'll see! I've got to be moving. These are busy times for me.”
“But you don't say when you're coming back, Joe!” quavered his wife.
“Why should I begin to set dates now, when I never have in past times?”
“Oh, I suppose it's because we've got so used to having you at home,” she confessed.
“I'm leaving matters in better shape than I ever did before,” said Mr. Harnden, pompously. “I have been worried about my home in the past when I have had to be absent on my business. We have Tasper in the house now. And he will not only guard and protect, but he will pay as he goes. I may not go far or stay long. Just let it stand that way. Tell inquiring friends that. I'll keep you posted. You know what my business is; it takes me here—it takes me there.” He gave his wife a peck of a kiss and patted Vona's shoulder when he passed her. He picked up a valise in the hallway.
The girl followed him. “Father, always when you have been away, mother and I have felt perfectly comfortable and safe here in our home. If Mr. Britt hasn't the sense or the good taste to go somewhere else to board, won't you suggest to him that he'd better do so?”
“Nothing of the sort, Vona!” declared Harnden. “That contractor has brought a lot of strangers here to work on Britt's house, seeing that the men of this town are biting off their noses to spite their faces! I wouldn't take a minute's peace, knowing that my home is unprotected, unless I felt that a friend of mine was here as guardian. Oh, I know what you mean! But I have the safety of my family to consider instead of a girl's whims.”