"But now you are going off and leaving Thornton alone," Donald said, somewhat puzzled.
"Yes, and I am leaving him in a position of trust, too. The supplies and much of our business is in his hands. He knows it. If he proves himself worthy, I shall appoint him, when we leave here, as manager in Johnson's place; if he abuses the confidence I am placing in him he will force me to appoint some one else. I wish to be perfectly fair."
"But I do not like Thornton," declared Donald.
"We must never be guided by our prejudices, Don."
"And anyway," went on the boy, "I don't see how you will know what he is doing. You will be miles away in the hills. He could do almost anything he chose. Have you left some one to watch him, father?"
"No, indeed, son. That would be a mean method; don't you think so? To set a trap for a man, or to spy upon him would be contemptible!"
Donald hung his head, ashamed of the suggestion.
"No," continued Mr. Clark less severely, "I have left no one on guard over Thornton but himself. I am really trusting him."
"You will never find out what he does, then."
"Yes, I shall."