"I have come to make you an offer."
"What!" exclaimed Mrs. Burton, indignantly.
Aaron Wolverton chuckled, thereby showing a row of defective and discolored teeth.
"You misunderstand me," he said. "I come to make you an offer for your wheat crop, which I suppose is nearly all gathered in."
"Yes," answered the widow relieved. "Robert tells me that it will be all harvested within three days."
"Just so. Now, I am willing to save you a great deal of trouble by buying the entire crop at a fair valuation."
"In that case, Mr. Wolverton, you will allow me to send for Robert. He attends to the business of the ranch, and understands much more about it than I do."
"Wait a minute, Mrs. Burton. Robert is no doubt a smart boy, but you give him too much credit."
"I don't think I do. He has shown, since his father's death, a judgment not often found in a boy of his age."
"She is infatuated about that boy!" thought Wolverton. "However, as I have a point to carry, I won't dispute with her."