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She could scarcely wait for Everett to depart; but suppressed her anxiety and delicately turned the subject out of deference to Horace. She listened inattentively as Brimbecomb explained some new cases that he was soon to bring to court, and kissed him when he bade her goodnight. Then, with beating heart, she sought her brother. Unsmilingly, Horace asked her to be seated.
Vandecar is even more powerful than Brimbecomb." "I'm glad for you, Horace, because it seems to me that you have an opportunity that few men have. Nothing can ever keep you back! And you are so very young, Dear!" "No, nothing can keep me back now, Ann. Sit down, do."
"Your brother seems to feel," went on Everett, "that I should not have taken charge of it." "Neither should you have done so, Everett, unless you've other motives than we know of." She looked up; but lowered her eyes as Brimbecomb glanced at her furtively. Had Fledra told her of his advances? No, or she would never have received his kisses.
In it his foster mother informed him that they had decided to return to Tarrytown immediately and make ready for a trip abroad, where they hoped that Mr. Brimbecomb would recover his health.
"Well, he be a mean cuss; but there be other cusses besides Lem, Mister." Brimbecomb flushed at the meaning glance in the squatter's shrewd eyes. "All you both have to do," said he bruskly, "is to spend the money I'll give you and keep your mouths shut."
In his disappointment he cast down his eyes, and then it was that his attention was called to the paper Brimbecomb had dropped on the floor. He changed his position, and when he came to a standstill his foot was planted squarely on the paper.
Flukey can stay there if he wants to, if you come. Make up yer mind, and don't ye tell any man that I writ this letter. Come to Lem's scow in the river, or ye know what I does to Flukey. Fledra folded up the letter and opened the other one dazedly. It was written with a masterly pen-stroke, and the girl, without reading it, looked at the signature. It was signed, "Everett Brimbecomb."
Shellin'ton " Everett dropped back again into his chair. The mention of Horace's name silenced him. He motioned for the men to be seated, without taking his eyes from Lem. The scowman's clothes were in shreds, and, as he lifted his right arm, Brimbecomb saw the chapped red flesh, strapped to the rusted iron hook.
"Don't let your position interfere with what I am doing; for, if you do, Ann, friendship, or anything won't deter me from " Brimbecomb rose to his feet and faced the other. "Threats are not in order," said he. His deliberate speech made Horace turn upon him. "I, too, intend to marry!" was his answer. "I intend to marry Fledra Cronk!" Brimbecomb ejaculated in anger.
Then he glanced over her head, his horrified attention centered upon the group on the floor. Scraggy looked up at him, still holding Lem and Everett. "I'm glad ye comed, Mister. Can't ye help 'em any?" For many minutes they worked in silence over the father and son. Once the brilliant eyes of Brimbecomb opened and flashed bewilderedly about the room, until he caught sight of Ann.
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