"
"I must learn all about that when I come home. I never saw Mr. Bassett
but once; that was at Waupegan when I was up there with Mrs. Owen nearly
five years ago. He had just come back from the West and spent only a day
at the lake."
"Then you don't really know him?"
"No; they had counted on having him there for the rest of the summer,
but he came one day and left the next. He didn't even see Mrs. Owen; I
remember that she expressed surprise that he had come to the lake and
gone without seeing her."
"He's a busy man and works hard. You were getting acquainted with Marian
about that time?"
"Yes; she was awfully good to me that summer. I liked Mr. Bassett, the
glimpse I had of him; he seemed very interesting--a solid American
character, quiet and forceful."
"Yes, he is that; he's a strong character. He's shown me every
kindness--given me my chance. I should be ashamed of myself if I didn't
feel grateful to him."
They had made the complete circuit of the campus several times and
Sylvia said it was time to go back. The remembrance of Bassett had
turned her thoughts to Marian, and they were still talking of her when
Mrs. Owen greeted them cheerily from the little veranda. They were to
start for Boston in the morning, and Harwood was to stay in Montgomery a
day or two longer on business connected with the estate.
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