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It was her impression of muteness, pallor, sadness, which had decided the judge to drop his affairs and have a look at the farm. What did Edna mean? What did Thinkright mean? Was it a plot to work on his sympathies?
"He said he thought we'd better have the old one shingled." "Turrible short-sighted, that's what I say," grumbled the old man; "but he ain't ever fer branchin' out, the jedge ain't. Why didn't ye talk him over to it, Thinkright?" "I didn't feel strongly about it. He'd do it if I urged him; but it's just as you say, he doesn't want to branch out.
John brought his teeth together in a resigned sigh while his hostess read aloud, occasionally lifting her eyes to comment. At the close he spoke. "I was surprised to learn that you and Miss Derwent are friends." "Oh, you know her?" asked Miss Martha absently. "Up to a few years ago, I did, very well." "You can see what opinion Thinkright has of Judge Trent and me."
"I'd better not tell you yet," she replied. "It isn't your problem. It's mine." "Very well," agreed Thinkright. "Just keep remembering 'Thy will be done, His great Will for good.
I am the poor relation, that is the trouble; but if you know Thinkright you can imagine how he talks to me about it." "Preaches. I suppose so. Hard on you." "No." Sylvia shook her head and patted the water with an oar. "He has helped me. He knows wonderful ways of helping people." "Well, I'll thank him not to send you out in this water in a boat that you don't know how to manage."
"Supposing she did say either of them. Don't you know, first come, first served, and moreover that Judge Trent is company?" "Yes, I've no idea that Thinkright would leave the farm over night at this busy time, anyway," replied Sylvia. "Where is he? I must see him before I decide. I'm really not sure about going back. Perhaps, Uncle Calvin, it will be best for you and Mr. Dunham to go without me."
A strange tightening constricted his throat, for, the temporary heat of the girl's exertion with the oars passing away, he saw her cheeks pale, and it was with a grave glance that she looked at him again. "Do you know Thinkright Johnson?" she asked. He nodded. "I suppose he is the best man in the world," she added. "Don't you?" The high hat nodded again.
"I'm a very jealous person," declared Sylvia frankly, looking up at him, "and vain and selfish and lazy. It's as well for you to know it." "Indeed? So Thinkright has impressed upon you that open confession is good for the soul, eh?" "Oh Thinkright!" ejaculated Sylvia, with a sudden start. "I forgot. It's all wrong to say those things even about one's self." Judge Trent nodded.
Thinkright deliberately studied Dunham's expression as the latter watched the young girl, whose indecision and trouble were obvious. "Be game, Miss Sylvia, be game," suggested John. "Steamer leaves dock in half an hour sharp, as Judge Trent elects to have a late supper at Anemone Cottage rather than an early one in the shade of Mrs. Lem's pompadour."
The Father's Love had brought Edna Derwent a summer of play because she needed it. The same love would bring Sylvia Lacey a season of work if that were best. If it were not right to ask Thinkright for the help for which she longed, then some other way would be provided. Supposing she could succeed in some artistic line!
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