Gordon's father smiled back at her.
"I'd hate to think I was held up for less," he said. "It would sort of wound my vanity."
The girl could have hugged him for the serenity of his attitude. Nothing seemed to disturb him. She felt that Gordon had every reason for his devotion to his father, and ought to be well ashamed of himself for submitting him to the outrage which had been perpetrated.
"Who—who do you think has done this?" she hazarded hesitatingly. "Slosson?"
"Maybe. Though——"
"Slosson should have met you himself," the girl declared emphatically.
"He certainly should," replied Carbhoy, with cold emphasis. "He'll need to explain that—later. Say, how did you come to be driving me?"
Hazel suddenly felt cold in the warm air.
"I was just engaged to, because Mr. Slosson couldn't go himself. You see, father has a spare team, and I do a goodish bit of driving. You see, we need to do 'most anything to get money here."
"Yes, that's the way of things." The man's eyes were twinkling again, and Hazel began to hope that she was once more on firm ground.