He was waiting at the show grounds for the return of the street parade
when he saw his wife and Christine approaching, followed at some
distance by Colonel Grand and the faithful David.
"Well," said he harshly, as the women came up to him, "you were too
good to travel as I did, eh? Had to borrow money to ride in palace
cars, eh? Fine thing for you to do, you two,--setting an example like
that. I suppose Bob Grand put up for you. I notice you didn't mention
his name to me, you--"
Christine and her mother had talked long and earnestly together on the
train coming down. The girl's cheeks had burnt during that serious
conference, to which no outsider was admitted. Her mother had listened
to an eager, piteous appeal from the lips of the girl; it was the cry
of a maiden who suddenly realizes that she is conscious of a modesty
heretofore dormant. Together they were now taking up a very portentous
question with Thomas Braddock, with small hope of having him see the
matter from their point of view.
Mary Braddock had no retort ready for his ruffianly insinuation. "Are
you too busy, Tom, to come over to the cook-tent with us for a few
moments? I want to speak very seriously about something that has been
on my mind for some time.
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