"Not now; but I was there for a time. I happened to call on Mr. Fitch this evening and he asked me to bring the deed over."
"Let me see, I don't believe I know any Harwoods here."
"I haven't been here long enough to be known," answered Dan, looking up and smiling.
Mrs. Owen removed her hat and tossed it on a little stand, as though hats were a nuisance in this world and not worthy of serious consideration. She continued her observation of Dan, who was applying a blotter to his signature.
"I'll have to take this to my office to affix the seal. I'm to give it to Mr. Wright in the morning for recording."
"Where is your office, Mr. Harwood?" she asked flatly.
"Boordman Building," answered Dan, surprised to find himself uncomfortable under her direct, penetrating gaze.
"Humph! So you're Morton Bassett's young man who was written up in the 'Advertiser.'"
"Mr. Bassett has given me a chance to read law in his office. He's a prominent man and the 'Advertiser' chose to put its own interpretation on his kindness to me. That's all," answered Dan with dignity.
"Sit still a minute. I forget sometimes that all the folks around here don't know me. I didn't mean to be inquisitive, or disagreeable; I was just looking for information. I took notice of that 'Advertiser's' piece because Mr. Bassett married my niece, so I'm naturally interested in what he does."