CHAPTER XL

milywillstandbehindyou.We’llseewhatcanbedone.” “Thankyou,”saidValancydully.Really,itwasquitedecentofUncleBenjamin.“CanIgoandliedownalittlewhile?I’m—I’m—tired.” “Ofcourseyou’retired.”UncleBenjaminpattedherhandgently—verygently.“Allwornoutandnervous.Goandliedown,byallmeans.You’llseethingsinquiteadifferentlightafteryou’vehadagoodsleep.” Heheldthedooropen.Asshewentthroughhewhispered,“Whatisthebestwaytokeepaman’slove?” Valancysmiledwanly.Butshehadcomebacktotheoldlife—theoldshackles.“What?”sheaskedasmeeklyasofyore. “Nottoreturnit,”saidUncleBenjaminwithachuckle.Heshutthedoorandrubbedhishands.Noddedandsmiledmysteriouslyroundtheroom. “PoorlittleDoss!”hesaidpathetically. “Doyoureallysupposethat—Snaith—canactuallybeDr.Redfern’sson?”gaspedMrs.Frederick. “Iseenoreasonfordoubtingit.ShesaysDr.RedfernhasbeenthereWhy,themanisrichaswedding-cake.Amelia,I’vealwaysbelievedtherewasmoreinDossthanmostpeoplethought.Youkeptherdowntoomuch—repressedher.Sheneverhadachancetoshowwhatwasinher.Andnowshe’slandedamillionaireforahusband.” “But—”hesitatedMrs.Frederick,“he—he—theytoldterribletalesabouthim.” “Allgossipandinvention—allgossipandinvention.It’salwaysbeenamysterytomewhypeopleshouldbesoreadytoinventandcirculateslandersaboutotherpeopletheyknowabsolutelynothingabout.Ican’tunderstandwhyyoupaidsomuchattentiontogossipandsurmise.Justbecausehedidn’tchoosetomixupwitheverybody,peopleresentedit.IwassurprisedtofindwhatadecentfellowheseemedtobethattimehecameintomystorewithValancy.Idiscountedalltheyarnsthenandthere.” “ButhewasseendeaddrunkinPortLawrenceonce,”saidCousinStickles.Doubtfully,yetasoneverywillingtobeconvincedtothecontrary. “Whosawhim?”demandedUncleBenjamintruculently.“Whosawhim?OldJemmyStrangsaidhesawhim.Iwouldn’ttakeoldJemmyStrang’swordonoath.He’stoodrunkhimselfhalfthetimetoseestraight.HesaidhesawhimlyingdrunkonabenchinthePark.Pshaw!Redfern’sbeenasleepthere.Do