"
For this was the "trust" to which Major Grover had referred in his
conversation with Jed. Later he explained his meaning. He was
expecting soon to be called to active service "over there." Before
he went he and Ruth were to be married.
"My wife and Barbara will stay here in the old house, Jed," he
said, "if you are willing. And I shall leave them in your charge.
It's a big trust, for they're pretty precious articles, but they'll
be safe with you."
Jed looked at him aghast. "Good land of love!" he cried. "You
don't mean it?"
"Of course I mean it. Don't look so frightened, man. It's just
what you've been doing ever since they came here, that's all. Ruth
says she has been going to you for advice since the beginning. I
just want her to keep on doing it."
"But--but, my soul, I--I ain't fit to be anybody's guardian. . . .
I--I ought to have somebody guardin' me. Anybody'll tell you
that. . . . Besides, I--I don't think--"
"Yes, you do; and you generally think right. Oh, come, don't talk
any more about it. It's a bargain, of course. And if there's
anything I can do for you on the other side, I'll be only too happy
to oblige."
Jed rubbed his chin. "W-e-e-ll," he drawled, "there's one triflin'
thing I've been hankerin' to do myself, but I can't, I'm afraid.
Maybe you can do it for me."
"All right, what is the trifling thing?"
"Eh? .
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