Part 2 (1/2)
”Take a hint and stay at home,” she went on. ”It might pay you better.”
”And let Sylvia's property be sacrificed?”
”Yes, if necessary.” She looked at him directly. ”You have means enough.”
He struggled with his indignation. Sylvia hated poverty, and it had been suggested that he should turn the fact to his advantage. The idea that she might be more willing to marry him if she were poor was most unpleasant.
”Sylvia's favor is not to be bought,” he said.
Mrs. Lansing's smile was half impatient.
”Oh, well, if you're bent on going, there's nothing to be said.
Sylvia, of course, will stay with us.”
The arrangement was a natural one, as Sylvia was a relative of hers; but George failed to notice that her expression grew thoughtful as she glanced toward where Sylvia was sitting with a man upon whom the soldier stamp was plainly set. George followed her gaze and frowned, but he said nothing, and his companion presently moved away. Soon afterward he crossed the lawn and joined a girl who waited for him.
Ethel West was tall and strongly made. She was characterized by a keen intelligence and bluntness of speech. Being an old friend of George's, she occasionally a.s.sumed the privilege of one.
”I hear you are going to Canada. What is taking you there again?” she asked.
”I am going to look after some farming property, for one thing.”
Ethel regarded him with amus.e.m.e.nt.
”Sylvia Marston's, I suppose?”
”Yes,” George answered rather shortly.
”Then what's the other purpose you have in view?”
George hesitated.
”I'm not sure I have another motive.”
”So I imagined. You're rather an exceptional man--in some respects.”
”If that's true, I wasn't aware of it,” George retorted.
Ethel laughed.
”It's hardly worth while to prove my statement; we'll talk of something else. Has Herbert told you anything about his business since you came back? I suppose you have noticed signs of increased prosperity?”
”I'm afraid I'm not observant, and Herbert isn't communicative.”
”Perhaps he's wise. Still, the fact that he's putting up a big new orchard-house has some significance. I understand from Stephen that he's been speculating largely in rubber shares. It's a risky game.”
”I suppose it is,” George agreed. ”But it's most unlikely that Herbert will come to grief. He has a very long head; I believe he could, for example, buy and sell me.”
”That wouldn't be very difficult. I suspect Herbert isn't the only one of your acquaintances who is capable of doing as much.”