Christine's
eyes were wide with the bewildered stare of an intelligence that has
suddenly been aroused to new aspects: she was having a glimpse of a
side to her father's character that had never been revealed to her
before.
She put forth a hand and drew Ruby Noakes close beside her, pressing
her hand tightly in actual alarm. The Noakes girl's arm went around
the slender figure, but she continued to stare curiously at the face
of the stranger in their midst. She was half a head taller than
Christine, and at least three years her senior.
"We ought to have a new clown to help out dad, Mr. Braddock," ventured
Miss Noakes coolly.
Braddock stared at her. He was not in the habit of accepting feminine
advice.
"What's that?" he barked.
"Keep still, Ruby," cautioned her father nervously. Ruby's lips parted
quickly, and then, thinking better of it, she closed them.
David's face took on a queer, uncertain expression while Braddock was
advancing his dire need of money as an excuse for turning him over.
The proprietor resumed his bitter harangue against the weather,
prophesying bankruptcy and sheriff's sales.
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