“Very likely.”
“Papa, is Major Arms rich?” asked Charlotte.
“Quite, I think, dear. I don't know how much he has in reality, but he has his pay from the government—he is on the retired list—and he owns considerable property. He has enough and to spare, there is no doubt about that.”
“So if Ina has things and people trouble her for payment she can pay them,” remarked Charlotte, thoughtfully.
“Yes,” said Carroll, shortly. He quickened his pace, and Charlotte made a little run to get into step again.
“That will be very nice,” said she. “Do you think he will be good to her, papa?”
“Sure as I am of anything in this world, dear.”
“It would be dreadful if he wasn't. Whatever else Ina or any of us haven't had, we've always had that. We've always lived with folks that loved us and were good to us. That would kill Ina and me quickest of anything, papa.”
“He will be good to her, dear,” said Carroll, pleasantly. He looked down at Charlotte and laughed. “It's all right, baby,” he said. “She's got one man in a thousand—one worth a thousand of your old dad.”
“No, she hasn't,” said Charlotte, with indignation. She caught her father's arm and clung to it lovingly. “There is nobody in the world so good as you,” said she, with fervor. “I wouldn't leave you for any man in the world, papa.”