“So you are doing wonderful things in the city!” she said, after a time. I had not spoken, for I was afraid of blurting out something foolish.
“Nothing so very grand,” I faltered.
“But Dave and Ardon Sortwell have had something to say about that since they have been home. I am very glad for you, Mr. Sidney.”
“I’d rather please you than anybody else.” That was a mighty awkward answer and I was just as much embarrassed as she was.
“Good news about Levant boys pleases us all up here.’
“Sometimes I have thought they liked the bad news best—the most of ’em. The way they drove me out and then talked behind my back was—”
“I know all the truth of it—and most of the folks do now, I think,” she broke in. “You must put it all out of your mind. You must not come back with resentment toward anybody. There’s too much of that in the world. There’s too much in Levant.”
She hesitated a moment and then burst out with a tremble in her voice.
“Oh, Mr. Sidney, I am so thankful because you have come home! I do hope you can have some influence with your uncle. I ask your forgiveness for bringing it up so soon. But my heart is so full of it all! I hurried back, hoping I could overtake you.”
So that was why she had hurried!