第63章

"But Dorinda," cried her husband, "it's Ros.Don't you see?""You set down, Lute Rogers.Well," turning to me, "dinner's ready, if you are.""I shall be in a few minutes," I answered."I want to see Mother first."Breaking the news to Mother was a duty which I dreaded.But it turned out to be not dreadful at all.Mother was surprised, of course, but she did not offer a single objection.Her principal feeling seemed to be curiosity as to my reasons for the sudden change.

"Of course, Roscoe, if you are happier I shall be, too," she said.

"I know it must have been very dull for you here.My conscience has troubled me not a little all these years.I realize that a man, a young man like you, needs an interest in life; he wants something more than the care and companionship of a useless creature like me.""Mother, how often have I told you not to speak like that.""But he does.Many times, when you and I have been here together, I have been on the point of urging you to leave me and go back to the world and take your place in it.More than once, you remember, dear, I have hinted at such a thing, but you have always chosen not to understand the hints, and I have been so weak and selfish that Ihave not pressed them.I am glad you have done this, if it seems right to you.But does it? Are you sure?""I think so, Mother.I confess I am not sure.""This country bank is a pretty small place, isn't it? Not big enough for my boy to prove his worth in.""It is quite big enough for that.That doesn't require a Rothschild's establishment.""But your decision must have been a very sudden one.You did not mention that you thought of such a thing.Not even to me.""It was sudden," I answered."I took the position on the spur of the moment.""But why? What led you to do it?"

"I don't know, Mother."

"What influenced you? Has any one urged you?""George Taylor offered me the place some time ago.He urged me.""No one else?"

I avoided the issue."You don't mind, then, Mother," I said."You are willing that I should try the experiment?""I am glad, if it pleases you.And you must let me say this now, Roscoe, because it is true and I mean it.If another and better opportunity comes to you, one that might take you away from Denboro--and from me--for a time, of course, I want you to promise me that you will not refuse it on my account.Will you promise?""No.Of course I shan't promise any such thing.Is it likely that I would leave you, Mother?""I know that you would not leave me unless I were willing for you to go.I know that, Roscoe.But I am much better and stronger than I was.I shall never be well--""Don't say that," I interrupted, hastily.

"But I must say it, because it is true.I shall never be well, but I am strong enough now to bear the thought of your leaving me and when the time comes I shall insist upon your doing so.I am glad we have had this talk, dear.I am glad, too, that you are going to be busy once more in the way you like and ought to be.You must tell me about your work every day.Now go, because your dinner is ready and, of course, you must be getting back to the bank.Kiss me, Boy."And as I bent over her she put her arms about my neck.

"Boy," she whispered, "I know there is some reason for your doing this, a reason which you have not told me.You will tell me some day, won't you?"I straightened hurriedly and tried to laugh."Of course I'll tell you, Mother," I replied."If there is anything to tell."The clam pie was on the table in the dining-room and Dorinda was seated majestically before it.Lute was fidgeting in his chair.

"Here he is," he exclaimed, as I joined the pair at the table.

"Ros, how did you ever come to do it?"

His wife squelched him, as usual."If Roscoe's got anything to tell," she observed, with dignity, "he'll tell it without your help or anybody else's.If he ain't, he won't.This pie's colder than it ought to be, but that isn't my fault."As I ate I told them of my sudden determination to become a laboring man.I gave the reasons that I had given Mother.

"Um-hm," said Dorinda.

"But I can't understand," pleaded Lute."You don't need to work, and I've sort of took a pride in your not doin' it.If I was well-off, same as you be, I bet George Taylor'd have to whistle afore Iwore out MY brains in his old bank."

"He wouldn't have time to whistle more'n once," was Dorinda's comment.

"Now, Dorinda, what kind of talk is that? Wouldn't have time to whistle? You do say more things without any sense to 'em! Just talk to hear yourself, I cal'late.What are you grinnin' at, Roscoe?""I can't imagine, Lute.This clam pie is a triumph.May I have another helping, Dorinda?"Dorinda did not answer, but the second helping was a liberal one.

She was so quiet and the glances she gave me from time to time were so odd that I began to feel uneasy.I was fairly sure that she approved of my new venture, but why did she look at me like that?

"Well," said I, looking at my watch and rising, "what do you think of it? Am I doing right?"Lute leaned back in his chair."There's consider'ble to be said on that subject," he announced."Work, as a general thing, I consider all right; I've told you that afore.But when it comes to--""What do you think, Dorinda?" I interrupted.

Dorinda stirred her tea.

"Think?" she repeated."I think...When's that Colton girl comin' to call on Comfort again?"I had taken my hat from the hook.Now, with it in my hand, Iturned and faced her.

"How should I know that?" I demanded."That's a trifle off the subject, isn't it?""Um-hm," said Dorinda."Maybe 'tis."

I went out hurriedly.