“He had just arrived in California. The journey across the plains is a long and tedious one.”
“Did he have anything to do?”
“He was expecting work.”
“Probably he won’t get any,” said Seth Tarbox. “The boy made a fool of himself when he left home. He might have had a good livin’ here, but he was sot on trampin’ to California.”
“That’s the way I feel,” said Sophia Bartlett. “Young folks don’t know what is best for themselves. As likely as not the boy will be sending home for money to get back.”
“He won’t get none from me,” muttered Mr. Tarbox emphatically, “and I want that understood.”
“He isn’t very likely to send to you, Mr. Tarbox,” said his wife, indignant at this attack upon Grant.
“I dunno about that. He’s a headstrong boy, and always was.”
“I am glad that my son Rodney is a good and dutiful boy, and is willing to be guided by my advice and his grandfather’s.”
Rodney understood that it was well to keep in the good graces of his grandfather, who might remember him handsomely in his will, and tried to look virtuous and meek.