Part 13 (1/2)

Joe squirmed inwardly, but at the same time he knew a small gratification. It was part of etiquette to offer any visitor a meal, but it was absolutely imperative to do so only if they came at meal time.

Because his family was present, Joe controlled his anger. He said,

”No. No, I haven't.”

”I see.” Elias remained gracious. ”I was merely riding past and thought this a good opportunity to see you. Well, I must be running along and it's good to see your charming family. If you care to talk with me, you have only to come to my office.”

Elias bowed again and departed. Joe resisted an impulse to a.s.sist him out of the door with the toe of his shoe. Elias was not simply pa.s.sing by. He had ridden out to see if there was any way he could get a mortgage on everything the Towers had left. Joe felt a cold and clammy thing that was not physical or born of any solid substance, brush his heart. He turned to see Emma staring fixedly at the four youngest children. Her glance roved to Barbara and Tad. Then her eyes met his squarely. The color that had left her cheeks came back to them now in a rush.

”Joe, I think it's time we told the children we're going to Oregon!”

”Hi-eee!” Tad shrieked.

Emma cast a reproving glance at him and Tad quieted. But his eyes danced and a beatific smile lighted his whole face.

”O'gon,” Carlyle said again. ”We go O'gon.”

”It's Oregon, isn't it, mama?” little Emma corrected.

Emma said, heaving a deep and tremulous sigh, ”Yes, dear, it's Oregon.”

”I think,” Barbara said, ”that it's going to be just wonderful!”

Joe turned to look at her, startled because there was a quality in her voice that had never been present before. She spoke like an adult, but her eyes were wide with excitement and her cheeks were flushed. Joe shook his head. He had thought that, of all the family, Barbara might shrink from such a trip and all it involved. Joe said,

”Bobby, you really want to go!”

But Barbara was already lost in a dream and Emma answered for her daughter, ”Of course she wants to go.”

Joe glanced at his wife, sensing another feminine puzzle here which no man would ever figure out. He understood Tad's bubbling excitement at the prospect of new horizons and new adventure, but Tad was a boy and such a reaction was natural. He did not completely grasp, as Emma did, that Barbara was youth too. Youth was for daring, and exploring, and the farthest point on the horizon would always be alluring. Joe grinned at his youngest children.

”Any of you got anything to say?”

Little Joe asked, ”How far is Oregon?”

”Quite a piece, Joe.”

”Oh.” The youngster devoted himself seriously to thinking about this new problem that had arisen.

The relief that Joe felt at the way his children had taken the news expressed itself in a minor outburst. Joe said, ”Doggone it!”

Emma said, ”Is something wrong?”

”I must have been in quite a fl.u.s.ter when I got here. Left the mare mule's bridle lying on the ground. I'd better go pick it up.”

Tad said happily, ”I'll go with you, Pa.”

They left the house together and Joe felt strangely light, almost giddy, as he walked across the familiar yard. It was impossible to go to Oregon, but they were going. Joe grinned. There had been a great decision and a small one; they were going to Oregon and he must pick up a mule bridle.

”When we startin', Pa?” Tad breathed.

”Soon's we can get ready.”

”Can Mike go too?”