“He was that,” replied Paul, his eyes lighting up with a kindly look at the Englishman. “You would have been glad to know him.”
“You got to know him well, eh?”
“I did,” said Paul. “I lived with him for six years.” He paused just a moment, then lifting his chin a little and looking Laughton in the eyes he added, “His daughter was my father’s wife.”
“What say? Your father’s——Good Lord!——I mean——” The Englishman stopped in confusion.
“Yes,” said Fraser, “and a fine, educated, Christian woman she was too.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Paul with quiet dignity. “She was that and more than that to me.”
There was an awkward silence for some moments. Mrs. Pelham appeared much annoyed. The Colonel fussed about, ordering from the servant things he did not want. Peg, with face crimson, kept her eyes upon her plate. Again the minister stepped into the breach.
“The children are well?” he asked Paul.
“I go to Fort Reliance to bring them out with me. Peter I am going to place on the ranch where I spent a summer myself. The little girl,” here his voice took on a softer tone, “I shall bring with me to Vancouver. They have both done splendidly at the school, so the missionary says.”
“Little Tanna I remember was very beautiful,” said Peg, for the first time joining in the conversation.