"
The young man evidently had not thought of it in just that light.
He looked surprised and still more puzzled.
"Why, yes," he admitted. "So I am, of course. And I do talk to
you about things I never would think of mentioning to other people.
And Ruth says she does. That's queer, too. But we are--er--
neighbors of yours and--and tenants, you know. We've known you
ever since we came to Orham."
"Ye-es. And Sam's known me ever since I came. Anyhow he talked
with me about you and Maud. I don't think I shall be sayin' more'n
I ought to if I tell you that he likes you, Charlie."
"Does he?" eagerly. "By George, I'm glad of that! But, oh, well,"
with a sigh, "he doesn't know. If he did know my record he might
not like me so well. And as for my marrying his daughter--good
NIGHT!" with hopeless emphasis.
"No, not good night by any means. Maybe it's only good mornin'.
Go on and tell me what you mean by bein' at a crisis, as you said a
minute ago."
"I mean just that. The time has come when I must speak to Maud. I
must find out if--find out how she feels about me. And I can't
speak to her, honorably, without telling her everything. And
suppose she should care enough for me to--to--suppose she should
care in spite of everything, there's her father. She is his only
daughter; he worships the ground she steps on.
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