Barbara dropped her eyes and Wolf touched her chin with his coarse, short fingers.
"A hint to the wise is sufficient, little girl. You understand?"
Barbara took the order, turned toward the door, paused and smiled coquettishly:
"I understand, Herman."
She found Norman at work with Methodist John cleaning out a stable. To her amazement he was whistling and joking about something with the old man. She stopped and listened a moment.
"But what on earth do you want a lightning-rod for, John?" Norman asked.
"That's my secret, sir," the old man answered, "but I must have one—won't you get it for me?"
"I'm sorry, John, but I have no more power now in the State of Ventura than you have."
"But didn't you get the million dollars and didn't you make all the money for 'em—a hundred and fifty thousand dollars on the cantaloups the others didn't have sense enough to plant? Surely they'll give you enough to get me a thirty-foot lightning-rod?"
"I'm afraid not, John, still I'll do my best. I don't like to press you for the secrets of your inner life, old man, but I've immense curiosity to know what you want with that lightning-rod? You say you're not afraid of lightning?"