“Isn’t there a bare possibility that the watermelons might kill him?� he suggested meekly.
“A negro?� Diana laughed. “Jacob, why didn’t you give it to Aunt Charity?�
“She has, at present, purloined the silver teapot,� said Jacob; “my soul loves justice.�
She looked sharply at him, her young face severe. “I believe you had another motive. Are you sure that it was for his good, and only for his good?�
“Cross my heart,� said Jacob devoutly. “See here, Diana, why should I fritter away my substance? Of what use on earth could that old nigger be to me?�
She looked thoughtful. The horses moved on evenly abreast. “None that I can see,� she admitted honestly; “after all, it was good of you; forgive me.�
“After all, there is some good in me,� he replied, paraphrasing. “I’m worth noticing, my fair cousin!�
“When you come directly across the horizon!� laughed Diana.
Below them now was the highroad, and as they looked along the white bend of its elbow, below the ash and the young maples, they both saw the tall straight figure of Caleb Trench. He did not see them; he passed below them, and turned the shoulder of the hill. Diana said nothing; her eyes had reluctantly followed him.
“There goes a fool,� remarked her cousin, “or a knave.�