Presently he spoke to the girl:
“Tell your mother to bring on the supper.”
The girl hastened out, and shortly thereafter the mother appeared carrying dishes. Food was disposed about the table in silence. The farmer ate gustily and in ten minutes finished his meal. Then he addressed his daughter, keeping his eyes averted from his wife. “Tell your mother,” he said, “that I’ll want breakfast at five o’clock tomorrow morning.”
“Where you goin’, Pa?” asked the girl.
“I’m goin’ to drive to the county seat to see Lawyer Simmons.”
Hubbard’s gaze followed the girl as she helped clear the table.
“Look-a here,” he said. “You been a-talkin’ to that Harper child?”
“No,” returned the daughter, with a trace of spirit. “But I jest saw her father over by the fence.”
“What was he a-doin’ there?”
“I didn’t stay. I was afeard he’d catch me watchin’ him.”