Part 16 (1/2)
”To marry some gambling rake?”
”No,” said Jake sharply. ”It doesn't follow that a man is trash because he stakes a dollar or two now and then, and there are some pretty straight fellows in Santa Brigida.” Then he paused and grinned. ”Take yourself, for example; you've talent enough to carry you some way, and I'm open to allow you're about as sober as a man could be.”
”As it happens, I'm not eligible,” d.i.c.k rejoined with a touch of grimness. ”Kenwardine wouldn't think me worth powder and shot, and I've a disadvantage you don't know of yet.”
”Anyhow, it strikes me you're taking a rather strange line. Kenwardine let us bring you here when you were badly hurt, and Miss Kenwardine has given herself a good deal of trouble about you. In fact, I guess you owe it to her that you're recovering.”
”That's true, I think,” said d.i.c.k. ”I can't remember much about my illness, but I've a notion that she took very good care of me. Still, there's no reason I should give her further trouble when I'm getting better, and I want you to make arrangements for carrying me back to the dam. Perhaps a hammock would be the best plan.”
”You're not fit to be moved yet.”
”I'm going, anyhow,” d.i.c.k replied with quiet resolution.
After trying in vain to persuade him, Jake went away, and soon afterwards Kenwardine came in. The light was strong and d.i.c.k noted the touches of gray in his short, dark hair, but except for this he looked young and athletic. His figure was graceful, his dress picturesque, for he wore white duck with a colored silk s.h.i.+rt and red sash, and he had an easy, good-humored manner. Sitting down close by, he gave d.i.c.k a friendly smile.
”I'm glad to find you looking better, but am surprised to hear you think of leaving us,” he said.
”My work must be falling behind and Stuyvesant has n.o.body to put in my place.”
”He sent word that they were getting on all right,” Kenwardine remarked.
”I'm afraid he was overstating it with a good motive. Then, you see, I have given you and Miss Kenwardine a good deal of trouble and can't take advantage of your kindness any longer. It would be an unfair advantage, because I'm getting well. Of course I'm very grateful, particularly as I have no claim on you.”
”That is a point you can hardly urge. You are a countryman, and your cousin is a friend of mine. I think on that ground we are justified in regarding you as an acquaintance.”
d.i.c.k was silent for a few moments. He felt that had things been different he would have liked Kenwardine. The man had charm and had placed him under a heavy obligation. d.i.c.k admitted this frankly, but could not stay any longer in his house. He had, however, a better reason for going than his dislike to accepting Kenwardine's hospitality. Clare had robbed him and he must get away before he thought of her too much. It was an awkward situation and he feared he had not tact enough to deal with it.
”The truth is, I've no wish to renew my acquaintance with people I met in England, and I went to America in order to avoid doing so,” he said. ”You know what happened before I left.”
”Yes; but I think you are exaggerating its importance. After all, you're not the only man who has, through nothing worse than carelessness, had a black mark put against his name. You may have a chance yet of showing that the thing was a mistake.”
”Then I must wait until the chance comes,” d.i.c.k answered firmly.
”Very well,” said Kenwardine. ”Since this means you're determined to go, we must try to make it as easy as possible for you. I'll see the doctor and Mr. Fuller.”
He went out, and by and by Clare came in and noted a difference in d.i.c.k.
He had generally greeted her as eagerly as his weakness allowed, and showed his dependence on her, but now his face was hard and resolute. The change was puzzling and disturbing.
”My father tells me you want to go away,” she remarked.
”I don't want to, but I must,” d.i.c.k answered with a candor he had not meant to show. ”You see, things I ought to be looking after will all go wrong at the dam.”
”Isn't that rather egotistical?” Clare asked with a forced smile. ”I have seen Mr. Bethune, who doesn't look overworked and probably doesn't mind the extra duty. In fact, he said so.”
”People sometimes say such things, but when they have to do a good deal more than usual they mind very much. Anyhow, it isn't fair to ask them, and that's one reason for my going away.”
Clare colored and her eyes began to sparkle. ”Do you think we mind?”
”I don't,” d.i.c.k answered awkwardly, feeling that he was not getting on very well. ”I know how kind you are and that you wouldn't s.h.i.+rk any trouble. But still----”