CHAPTER XLIII

“But,Barney,”protestedValancyafterafewminutes,“yourfather—somehow—gavemetounderstandthatyoustilllovedher.” “Hewould.Dadholdsthechampionshipformakingblunders.Ifthere’sathingthat’sbetterleftunsaidyoucantrusthimtosayit.Butheisn’tabadoldsoul,Valancy.You’lllikehim.” “Ido,now.” “Andhismoneyisn’ttaintedmoney.Hemadeithonestly.Hismedicinesarequiteharmless.EvenhisPurplePillsdopeoplewholeheapsofgoodwhentheybelieveinthem.” “But—I’mnotfitforyourlife,”sighedValancy.“I’mnot—clever—orwell-educated—or——” “MylifeisinMistawis—andallthewildplacesoftheworld.I’mnotgoingtoaskyoutolivethelifeofasocietywoman.Ofcourse,wemustspendabitofthetimewithDad—he’slonelyandold——” “Butnotinthatbighouseofhis,”pleadedValancy.“Ican’tliveinapalace.” “Can’tcomedowntothatafteryourBlueCastle,”grinnedBarney.“Don’tworry,sweet.Icouldn’tliveinthathousemyself.Ithasawhitemarblestairwaywithgiltbannistersandlookslikeafurnitureshopwiththelabelsoff.Likewiseit’stheprideofDad’sheart.We’llgetalittlehousesomewhereoutsideofMontreal—intherealcountry—nearenoughtoseeDadofte