But allowin' for time out I want fifteen minutes more'n that. And now,
if we're goin' to get anywhere----"
He stopped suddenly and stood toying with his big watch passing it back
and forth through the loop he made of its heavy chain, his gaze steady
and earnest and searching upon his grandson.
"Stephen," he said abruptly, "I ain't playin' any favorites in my ol'
age. An' I ain't givin' away big chunks of money hit or miss. You
wasn't countin' on anything like that, was you?"
"No, I wasn't," announced Steve quickly. "I remember your old theory;
that a man should make his own way unaided, that----"
"That whatever he got he's got to get with his one head an' one set of
han's. Now, the things I got to say I'll spit out one at the time:
Firs', I'd like to have you come visit me for a spell at my place.
Will you do it? To-day, to-morrow, any time you feel like it."
"Yes; I'll be glad to."
"That's good. Nex', not even if you was the right man for the job you
can't save this ranch now; it's too late, there's to much to dig up in
too short a time. I've got my hooks in deep an' whenever that happens
I don't let go. I want you to quit before you get started."
Steve looked his surprise.
"Surely," he said wonderingly, "you don't want me to give you the ranch
just because you happen to hold the mortgages on it?"
"Business is business, Stephen," said the old man sternly.
Pages:
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82