Durland declined to become interested in the proposed change of residence. In fact he continued to appear dazed by his good fortune and Grace, for years familiar with his moods, was mystified by his conduct.
One evening when they were alone on the front porch she asked a question about affairs at the factory, really in the hope that he would speak of Trenton. When he had answered perfunctorily that everything was running smoothly and that they would be ready to put the new motor on the market in six months he remarked that Trenton was away a good deal.
“His wife’s sick, you know; down East somewhere. I guess he’s had a good deal to worry him. When he’s in town he works hard. There’s a lot to do moving the stuff from Cummings’s old plant, and putting up the new buildings.”
“Mr. Trenton’s certainly been a good friend to you, daddy. But of course he wouldn’t have taken your patents if they hadn’t been all they promised to be.”
Durland turned his head to make sure they were not overheard. Mrs. Durland was somewhere in the house and Roy and Sadie had gone for a walk. Durland cleared his throat and said in a low tone:
“I’d never have got those things right, Grace. Trenton straightened me out on a lot o’ points that were too much for me. He worked with me every night for a week till everything came right. He oughtn’t to give me the credit.”
“Now, daddy, that’s just like you! Of course, they’re all your ideas! But it was fine of Mr. Trenton to help you round them out.”
“It was more than that, Grace,” Durland persisted stubbornly.
This, then, was the cause of her father’s preoccupation and the embarrassment with which he had been hearing himself praised. It was Trenton’s genius, not his, that had perfected the motor! Something sweet and wistful like the scents of the summer night crept into her heart. She was happy, supremely happy, in the thought that Trenton had done this, given her father the benefit of his skill, and for her. Yes; it was all for her, and for those close and dear to her. But her father’s confession moved her greatly. The light from the window fell upon his hand, which seemed to her to symbolize failure as it hung inert from the arm of his chair.
“Oh, lots of inventors must accept help from experts, when they’ve got as far as they can by themselves. Don’t you worry about that! I’m sure it was a pleasure to Mr. Trenton to help you over your difficulties. He naturally wouldn’t want any of the credit when you did all the real work.”