'As the Lord will!' he said. 'But I will not give up until I know more. I do not believe my poor people and I are to be in that man's power. I will wait and see.'
But the interest of the dinner was gone for one member of the party; and the attention he gave to other people or things was a preoccupied and shadowed attention.
Wych Hazel stood it a little while, watching him, much wishing that there was nobody else to hear: then she could not bear it any longer. After all, Dr. Arthur was just his brother.
'Mr. Rollo,' she said timidly, 'what means do you think the Lord can use to prevent thisthat you fear?'
It was worth something, to get the look he flashed across the table to her; it was so brilliant with meaning and so sweet with confidence.
'A thousand things!' he said heartily; 'and you remind me that I am a fool to allow myself to be disturbed about it. I was thinking of those hundreds of families. And I half forgot for a moment that the Lord thinks of them too. I believe he will take care.'
'Would you like to know how?' said Wych Hazel. The tone was indescribably sweet, but the eyes had gone down before his.
'Would I like it?' said Dane watching her. 'Yes! I am afraid I am foolish enough still to like to know that, if I could. But I believe it anyhow, Hazel.'
'Governor Powder sold the land to me.'
'To you!' said Dane in great amazement. 'What did you buy it for?'