Indeed, the two men stared at one another, in undisguised curiosity. Each seemed to search the others face for information as to his attitude and intent.
Well, Dan, Appleby said, after the silent scrutiny, youve changed some, but youre the same good-looking chap you always were.
Wheeler gave a start and pulled himself together.
Thank you. I suppose I should return the compliment.
But you cant conscientiously do it, eh? Appleby laughed. Never mind. Personal vanity is not my besetting sin. This is my secretary, Mr. Keefe, and my assistant, Miss Lane.
Ah, yes, yes. How are you? How do you do? My wife and daughter will look after the young lady. Maida!
As if awaiting the call, a girl came quickly in from the hall followed by an older woman. Introductions followed, and if there was an air of constraint on the part of the host the ladies of the family showed none. Sunny-faced Maida Wheeler, with her laughing brown eyes and gold brown hair, greeted the visitors with charming cordiality, and her mother was equally kind and courteous.
Genevieve Lanes wise and appraising eyes missed no point of appearance or behavior.
Perfect darlings, both of them! she commented to herself. Whatever ails the old guy, it hasnt bitten them. Or else wait a minute Genevieve was very observant perhaps theyre putting on a little. Is their welcome a bit extra, to help things along?
Yet only a most meticulous critic could discern anything more than true hospitality in the attitude of Mrs. Wheeler or Maida. The latter took Genevieve to the room prepared for her and chatted away in girlish fashion.
The place is so wonderful! Genevieve exclaimed, carefully avoiding personal talk. Dont you just adore it?
Oh, yes. Ive loved Sycamore Ridge for nearly fifteen years.
Have you lived here so long? Genevieve was alert for information. It was fifteen years ago that the pardon had been granted.
But as Maida merely assented and then changed the subject, Miss Lane was far too canny to ask further questions.
With a promptness not entirely due to chance, the stenographer came downstairs dressed for dinner some several minutes before the appointed hour. Assuming her right as a guest, she wandered about the rooms.
The south door, by which they had entered, was evidently the main entrance, but the opposite, or north door, gave on to an even more beautiful view, and she stepped out on the wide veranda and gazed admiringly about. The low ridge nearby formed the western horizon, and the giant sycamore, its straight branches outlined against the fading sunset, was impressive and a little weird. She strolled on, and turned the corner the better to see the ridge. The veranda ran all round the house, and as she went on along the western side, she suddenly became aware of a silent figure leaning against a pillar at the southwest corner.
It is so quiet it frightens me, she said to Daniel Wheeler, as she neared him.
Do you feel that way, too? he asked, looking at her a little absently. It is the lull before the storm.
Oh, that sunset doesnt mean rain, Genevieve exclaimed, smiling, unless your Connecticut blue laws interpret weather signs differently from our Massachusetts prophets. We are in Connecticut, arent we?
Yes, and Wheeler sighed unaccountably. Yes, Miss Lane, we are. That sycamore is the finest tree in the state.
I can well believe it. I never saw such a grandfather of a tree! Its all full of little balls.
Yes, buttonballs, they are called. But note its wonderful symmetry, its majestic appearance
And strength! It looks as if it would stand, there forever!
Do you think so? and the unmistakable note of disappointment in the mans tone caused Genevieve to look up in astonishment. Well, perhaps it will, he added quickly.
Oh, no, of course it wont really! No tree stands forever. But it will be here long after you and I are gone.
Are you an authority on trees? Wheeler spoke without a smile.
Hardly that; but I was brought up in the country, and I know something of them. Your daughter loves the country, too.
Oh, yes we all do.
The tone was courteous, but the whole air of the man was so melancholy, his cheerfulness so palpably assumed, that Genevieve felt sorry for him, as well as inordinately curious to know what was the matter.
But her sympathy was the stronger impulse, and with a desire to entertain him, she said, Come for a few steps in the garden, Mr. Wheeler, wont you? Come and show me that quaint little summer-house near the front door. It is the front door, isnt it? Its hard to tell.
Yes, the north door is the front door, Wheeler said slowly, as if repeating a lesson. The summer-house you mention is near the front door. But we wont visit that now. Come this other way, and Ill show you a Japanese tea-house, much more attractive.
But Genevieve Lane was sometimes under the spell of the Imp of the Perverse.
No, no, she begged, smilingly, let the Japanese contraption wait; please go to the little summer-house now. See, how it fairly twinkles in the last gleams of the setting sun! What is the flower that rambles all over it? Oh, do lets go there now! Come, please!
With no reason for her foolish insistence save a whim, Genevieve was amazed to see the look of fury that came over her hosts face.
Appleby put you up to that! he cried, in a voice of intense anger. He told you to ask me to go to that place!
Why, Mr. Wheeler, cried the girl, almost frightened, Mr. Appleby did nothing of the sort! Why should he! Im not asking anything wrong, am I? Why is it so dreadful to want to see an arbor instead of a tea-house? You must be crazy!
When Miss Lane was excited, she was quite apt to lose her head, and speak in thoughtless fashion.
But Mr. Wheeler didnt seem to notice her informality of speech. He only stared at her as if he couldnt quite make her out, and then he suddenly seemed to lose interest in her or her wishes, and with a deep sigh, he turned away, and fell into the same brooding posture as when she had first approached him.
Come to dinner, people, called Maidas pretty voice, as, with outstretched hands she came toward them. Why, dads, what are you looking miserable about? What have you done to him, Miss Lane?
Maida, child, dont speak like that! Miss Lane has been most kindly talking to me, of of the beauties of Sycamore Ridge.
All right, then, and forgive me, Miss Lane. But you see, the sun rises and sets for me in one Daniel Wheeler, Esquire, and any shadow on his face makes me apprehensive of its cause.
Only for an instant did Genevieve Lanes sense of justice rise in revolt, then her common sense showed her the better way, and she smiled pleasantly and returned:
I dont blame you, Miss Wheeler. If I had a father, I should feel just the same way, I know. But dont do any gory-lock-shaking my way. I assure you I didnt really scold him. I only kicked because he wouldnt humor my whim for visiting the summer-house with the blossoms trailing over it! Was that naughty of me?
But though Genevieve listened for the answer, none came.
Come on in to dinner, daddy, dear, Maida repeated. Come, Miss Lane, theyre waiting for us.
Dinner was a delightful occasion.
Daniel Wheeler, at the head of his own table, was a charming host, and his melancholy entirely disappeared as the talk ran along on subjects grave or gay, but of no personal import.