Old Marcellus was the soul of hospitality despite his prejudices. To slight a guest on his property was the last thing in the world he would care to do, whether that guest was a hated Yankee or no. And, with Hal’s admission of indisposition, all his innate courtesy came to the fore. He poured out apologies profusely, and bade his granddaughter show their guest his quarters.
“Such as they are,” she smiled, as she led Hal to a rude hut next to their own. “But it’s the best we have to offer—we reserve it especially for infrequent guests.”
She led Hal through a low, narrow opening and nodded at the single chair, the hammock and the washbasin on an old-fashioned stand. It was primitive, but scrupulously neat and clean.
“Things have just gone along so-so with we Pembertons,” she explained apologetically. “It’s impossible to grow much more than potatoes here. We raise chickens and a half mile from here we can get all the pineapples you want to eat.”
“Boy!” Hal exclaimed. “That sounds darn good to me—just like home. And chicken? Young lady, I’m your friend for life. You don’t happen to drink such luxurious beverages as tea and coffee, do you?”
“Through Rene’s generosity we allow ourselves that luxury,” she smiled. “This property yields us no income whatsoever, Mr. Hal. And it yields but half of our food.”
“Then why on earth do you people stay here?” Hal asked, flinging himself down on the chair.
“Grandfather again,” said the girl wistfully. “It was here that we found Father’s canoe and camping outfit, but no lode. And Grandfather, bound as he is to memories and to the dim, dead past, had us pack up and leave our more comfortable quarters thirty miles below here and come live on this poverty-stricken site. He said that if Father had died here, we should live here in his memory. A queer man is my grandfather, Mr. Hal. He’s old and I respect him—indeed, I wouldn’t think of being aught but obedient to his every wish. Still, I cannot help thinking that his bitterness is not good.”
“Bitterness is terrible,” Hal agreed. “But one thing, it hasn’t affected you and that’s good.”
“I’ve seen too much of it. It hasn’t affected my brother Rene, except in a political way. Grandfather’s ideas about free men in the jungle has affected him, but that’s all. He’s come to believe that the jungle man should rebel and take part of the earnings of his more fortunate brother in the cities.”