Fortunately, however, he had all along talked freely with Max, of his plans and purposes, giving the lad a thorough understanding of them; for Max was a bright boy quite capable of comprehending his father’s explanations; also it was very delightful to him to be taken into that father’s confidence, and treated by him as one whose opinion was worth having, and who was to some extent a joint proprietor with himself.
“Max,” said the captain, with a look of fatherly pride and confidence that made the boy’s heart throb with pleasure, “you will have to be my man of business now, reporting the progress of the workmen to me, taking my orders and seeing that they are obeyed.”
“Will you trust me, papa?” cried the boy delightedly. “I’m sure it’s very good in you!”
“I am very glad to have a son whom I can trust,” was the smiling, kindly rejoinder. “I have entire confidence in you, and as you are more fully acquainted with my plans and wishes than any one else, you are the very one I prefer before all others, to see them carried out.”
He then went on to give some directions in regard to the work for that day.
Before he had finished, both the doctor and Lulu had returned to the room.
“Attending to affairs in spite of every thing, captain?” said the doctor. “I should have supposed you were suffering enough with that injured ankle to forget all about the improvements you are making on the place.”
“I prefer to try to forget pain in interesting myself about something else,” returned the captain, suppressing a groan and forcing himself to speak lightly.
Arthur was changing the dressing on the wounded limb, Lulu standing beside her father, with her hand in his, her eyes, full of love and sympathy, fixed upon his face.
“Dear papa, are you in very much pain?” she asked. “Oh, I am so sorry for you! I wanted Max to take his gun and shoot Thunderer, but he wouldn’t without your leave.”