Upon the two figures across from him—his wife, who had been Jacqueline Ralston, and Via—Mr. Colter's gaze rested.
Purposely Jeanette removed herself from the group. Crossing again to the window, she made a pretense of looking out as her father had done a half hour before.
In much the same words he had used with Jeanette, Mr. Colter told the other members of his family what had occurred.
"It is pretty hard on you, Jack," he ended.
Mrs. Colter laughed.
"Why hard upon me? Being poor? Jim, dear, please remember and be fair. You know how little I care about money and how impossible I find it to run this big place in the quiet fashion Jean did. Lina knows, and knows because I am always asking her advice and help.
"If only you realized how relieved we are to know it is only worry over money matters that has been troubling you of late! The girls and I have been waiting for you to tell us. While you and Jeanette were outdoors we made up our minds that we would not, could not wait much longer. You see, we have something we want to tell. Suppose for the next six months or more we rent the big house and move over to the old lodge, Rainbow Lodge. It is still the home I seem to love best, even if I should not confess it."
Lina turned toward the figure by the window.
"What do you feel, Jeanette? We have been making plans while you and father were out of the room. If father agrees we are to go over to the old lodge in the morning and select our own rooms. We are to do most of our work and leave the servants here for the people who rent the big place."
Jeanette turned slowly.