Not consciously did Jeanette ask these questions of herself, yet they were in her mind fighting for control.
For the first time during the evening her face colored warmly; the firm line of her lips and chin became apparent.
"Surely, father, your income cannot be so reduced that you cannot afford to send me to boarding school. Why, we have always had everything we wished and lots of servants! Besides, if we are to be poor I ought to learn to support myself."
Jeanette uttered a sigh of relief. This last remark, which happily had occurred to her at the moment, could not fail to influence her father. In any case he must be forced to see that she must get away from home. She could see nothing else as of equal importance.
Her father smiled.
"You may be right, Jeanette. I have always wished you girls to learn to make your own living. Later I shall do what I can to help. What you must see, dear, is that at present it is impossible. Not only is the ranch failing to pay, but the stocks in which I have placed nearly all my savings are yielding almost nothing.
"You are young, Jeanette, yet I am going to tell you something else. I have not told any one as much as I am telling you, not even your stepmother. She knows I have been troubled about business matters, but she does not know how seriously. There are several reasons for this."
Mr. Colter began walking more slowly, not glancing at the figure or the face beside him. He did not catch the expression in Jeanette's gray-blue eyes, and about her lips.
"You see, dear, your stepmother has a good deal of money of her own and is the most generous person in the world. She has been trying her best ever since our marriage to make me use her income, but this I have utterly declined to do. It is enough that she has married a man so much older than she, so unworthy of her in many ways."
"Nonsense, father!" Jeanette said sharply, again moved from the thought of herself. "Well, I suppose I should not say what I really think. But truly, sending me away need not cost a great deal. I am willing to go to as inexpensive a school as we can find. Only you must realize that I am forced to go, as I simply cannot endure to stay at home any longer."