Other people would not return their
checks. On the contrary, there would be new and fertile schemes set
on foot to part the unworldly stranger and her money.
He flung down his hoe in disgust and straightened his aching
shoulders. The whole sordid transaction put him in mind of the greedy
onslaught of a horde of hungry ants on a beautiful, defenseless
flower, its torn corolla exuding sweetness.... And there must be some
sort of reason behind it. Why had Lydia Orr come to Brookville?
And here, unwittingly, Jim's blind conjectures followed those of
Wesley Elliot. He had told Lydia Orr he meant to call upon her. That
he had not yet accomplished his purpose had been due to the
watchfulness of Mrs. Solomon Black. On the two occasions when he had
rung Mrs. Black's front door-bell, that lady herself had appeared in
response to its summons. On both occasions she had informed Mr. Dodge
tartly that Miss Orr wasn't at home.
On the occasion of his second disappointment he had offered to await
the young lady's home-coming.
"There ain't no use of that, Jim," Mrs. Black had assured him. "Miss
Orr's gone t' Boston to stay two days."
Then she had unlatched her close-shut lips to add: "She goes there
frequent, on business."
Her eyes appeared to inform him further that Miss Orr's business, of
whatever nature, was none of _his_ business and never would be.
"That old girl is down on me for some reason or other," he told
himself ruefully, as he walked away for the second time.
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