“She said it was all she had to show for a life of hard work. She was afraid of losing it,” responded Nathan humorously.
“But it was only leavin’ it as bail.”
“I know. She doesn’t understand.”
“Does she think more o’ that damn property than she does of her boy?”
“Apparently! No, that’s unfair. She thinks I should be punished a while for keeping on with father. She wanted me to oust him a long time ago. But I couldn’t, even if I’d wanted. He had control of the stock. I can’t blame her. It’s hard to blame people who haven’t the capacity to understand.”
“Trouble with you, young feller, you’re too soft-hearted for your own good. You need to cultivate a little healthy selfishness. Never mind! Maybe if you was selfish so, I wouldn’t love your dratted young hide like I do—always goin’ and landin’ in scrapes. Well, just thought I’d call in on my way to give Hentley hell, and tell you I was here on the job. You wait a few minutes till I’ve fixed this bail stuff. Then we’ll go out somewheres and assault food and talk it over. Down to the box-shop, maybe, and have a look-see round.”
“We can’t go down there. The shop’s in charge of the sheriff. They won’t let us in.”
“Won’t they, though? I’d like to see the goofus-brained pie-eater in this tank-town as would stop me. I’d pull out his nose a coupla feet and tie a knot in it!”
II
It was after ten o’clock when Nathan reached his home. He had eaten with Caleb and then gone to the box-shop. Milly did not know of her husband’s freedom until he admitted himself into their cold front hall and opened the sitting-room door beyond.