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Meader, apologetically, "that was stupid of me wahn't it? But I callated he'd know. She's the daughter of the railrud president the 'one that was askin' about you." There was an instant's pause, and the colour stole into Victoria's cheeks. Then she glanced at Austen and bit her lip-and laughed. Her laughter was contagious.
It appears that he had seen me," Victoria replied, "when I went to Mercer to call on Zeb Meader. And he asked me if I knew you." "Of course you denied it," said Austen. "I couldn't, very well," laughed Victoria, "because you had confessed to the acquaintance first." "He merely wished to have the fact corroborated. Mr. Redbrook is a man who likes to be sure of his ground."
Since we have begun on the subject, however, I think I ought to tell you that I have taken the case of Zeb Meader against the Northeastern Railroads." "Wahn't much need of telling me, was there?" remarked the Honourable Hilary, dryly. "I'd have found it out as soon as anybody else."
Meader's bedside a basket of fruit which looked too expensive and tempting to have come from any dealer's in Ripton. "A lady came with that," Mr. Meader explained. "I never was popular before I was run over by the cars. She's be'n here twice. When she fetched it to-day, I kind of thought she was up to some, game, and I didn't want to take it." "Up to some game?" repeated Austen.
Meader had possession of the five senses nay, of the six. Austen sat down beside the bed. "Dr. Tredway tells me you are getting along finely," he said. "No thanks to the railrud," answered Mr. Meader; "they done their best." "Did you hear any whistle or any bell?" Austen asked. "Not a sound," said Mr. Meader; "they even shut off their steam on that grade."
I got on to it as soon as you did, I guess, but when a feller's worn the collar as long as I have and has to live, it ain't easy to cut loose you understand." "I understand," answered Austen, gravely. "I thought I'd let you know I didn't take any too much trouble with Meader last summer to get the old bird to accept a compromise." "That was good of you, Ham." "I knew what you was up to," said Mr.
"I knew you had this Meader business in mind," he said. "I knew you had fanciful notions about some things. Never told you I didn't want you here, did I?" "No," said Austen, "but " "Would have told you if I hadn't wanted you wouldn't I?" "I hope so, Judge," said Austen, who understood something of the feeling which underlay this brusqueness. That knowledge made matters all the harder for him.
Nancy took up stenography with gentle Miss Meader, too. The latter acted as the Madame's secretary, so she had practical use for shorthand. She and Nancy corresponded daily in the "pothooks," as Jennie Bruce called the stenographic signs. Nevertheless, Nancy managed to cram into her waking hours an immense amount of fun as well as lessons.
Zeb Meader, pale but determined, was surrounded by a knot of Mercer neighbours, many of whom were witnesses. The agate eyes of Mr. Brush Bascom flashed from the audience, and Mr. Nat Billings bustled forward to shake Austen's hand. Nat was one of those who called not infrequently upon the Honourable Hilary in Ripton, and had sat on Austen's little table.
I got on to it as soon as you did, I guess, but when a feller's worn the collar as long as I have and has to live, it ain't easy to cut loose you understand." "I understand," answered Austen, gravely. "I thought I'd let you know I didn't take any too much trouble with Meader last summer to get the old bird to accept a compromise." "That was good of you, Ham." "I knew what you was up to," said Mr.
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