And Mr. Haydon, who came in with the doctor a moment later, glanced at the picture they made, and smiled meaningly at Overton.
“You see, I was right,” he observed. “And do you not think it would be a very exacting guardian who could object?”
Overton only looked at Max, whose face had flushed a little, knowing how significant his attitude must appear to others. But his hand remained in hers, and his eyes turned to Dan with a half embarrassed confession in them—a confession Dan read and understood.
“Yes, you may well be proud, Max,” he said, answering Lyster’s words. “You deserve all gratitude; and I hope—I hope nothing but good luck will come your way.”
Mr. Haydon, who watched him with critical eyes, could read nothing in his words but kindliest concern for a friend. 214
The doctor, who had suddenly got a ridiculous idea in his head that Dan Overton was wearing himself out on ’Tana’s account, changed his mind and silently called himself a fool. He might have known Dan had more sense than that. Yet, what was it that had changed him so?
Twenty-four hours later he thought he knew.