Even if he had not
been entirely certain of it that first day when he had neglected to
show them to Sarah, he knew now just what reason underlay his secrecy.
Like Old Tom, he felt that his action was in a way more or less
extenuated by circumstance. And still mindful of Dexter Allison's odd
moment or two of guarded antagonism that very morning, he gradually led
the conversation around to more recent things.
"I suppose you have had your conference with Mr. Allison, Steve?" he
suggested in a matter-of-fact way.
Instantly at that question all the boyishness left the other's face.
He looked away and looked back again, very deliberately.
"No more than a word," he answered. "He asked me to come down again,
toward the end of the week, if I could get away. He said no doubt I
would want to spend all the time I could to-day with you and Miss
Sarah."
"Of course," Caleb exclaimed, "of course! I see. Is it--is it
unethical if I ask, privately, your opinion of this job which the East
Coast Company has on its hands? Do you believe they can swing it in
time to fulfill all their obligations?"
Again there followed a moment's pause while Steve's eyes roved
thoughtfully around the room.
"Mr. Elliott wouldn't have risked every cent he has," he finally
replied, "unless I had assured him that it wasn't so very much more
than a man-sized gamble.
Pages:
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135