Part 27 (1/2)
”I wonder whether you understand that you are Bernard Dearham's nearest relation and his approval is important?” Mordaunt reht he trusted him, but he was not certain if he trusted Mordaunt On the whole, he thought the fellow ood advice, but he was a type Jihly cultivated, Jierated pride The pride was, of course, not obtrusive, but it was there
”The lawyers hinted so like that and Mrs Halliday made it plainer,” he answered cautiously
Mordaunt saould say nothing ot up and said he would ask the gardener for some plants the man had promised his mother He wanted the plants, but he wanted to think, for he was curious about the French romance If Lance had seen Franklin Dearham's name, he must have known Jim was his son, and had meant to let him stay in Canada Lance's manner when they talked about Jim at the shack to some extent justified the supposition
Moreover, while Lance had gone to Langrigg with the object of giving Ji curious about his tone He was urbane, but one noted a hint of superiority, or perhaps patronage, that the other ht resent All the same, it was not dick's business and he went to look for the gardener
In the ested that your Canadian friendsvisit”
”I did; I'd like theood”
”Do you think it's prudent?” Mordaunt asked quietly
Jihty surprise, and Mordaunt resuerous ground, but I in with, have you thought aboutMiss Winter?”
”I have not I' reed with some dryness ”For all that, irl is unformed, but she's beautiful and I think she's clever”
”You can leave Miss Winter out Now I suppose you have cleared the ground and there's soesture ”I'll be frank, because I don't want you to , you owe soentlehbors think about you at first Very well Your Canadian friends wear the sta; it was hardly necessary for Mrs Winter to state that she had kept a shbors would like to receive Then Bernard Dearhaely persuaded your grandfather to alter his will”
Ji is ift,” he said ”I owe e Bernard Dearhalad to leave him and me alone I had no claiain; but they nursed me when I was ill and my partner stood by me in the blizzards and cold of the North Now you ask hbors I don't knoould like to ed and forced a smile ”Oh, well, in a sense I suppose your attitude is correct There is obviously nothing more to be said”
dick came in soon afterwards and Mordaunt went off with hiiven Jim a jar and the latter walked about the terrace until Mrs
Winter and the others returned frolance as she advanced She knew his ht the color to her skin; she looked very fresh and her step was light Ji re been bothering you, Jim?” she asked
”It is not important,” he replied ”If you own land in this country, it seems you must submit to a number of ridiculous rules and folks won't leave you alone However, did you like the town?”
”We were charreen and quiet Everything's sht theh work had been done long since and folks have only to take care of things I like it all”
”Then, you will be satisfied to stay at Langrigg?”
”For a tiood!”
Carrie said nothing for a h you're very nice We'll make the most of our holiday; but it's only a holiday”