Bassett had recently visited Blackford at the military school where his
son was established, and talk fell upon the boy.
"Black likes to have a good time, but he will come out all right. The
curriculum doesn't altogether fit him--that's his only trouble."
Bassett glanced at Harwood for approval and Dan promptly supported the
father's position. Blackford had, as a matter of fact, been threatened
with expulsion lately for insubordination. Bassett had confessed to Dan
several times his anxiety touching the boy. To-day, when the lad's
mother had just returned after a long sojourn in a rest cure, was not a
fit occasion for discussing such matters.
"What's Allen doing?" asked Marian. "I suppose now that papa is having a
rumpus with Mr. Thatcher I shall never see him any more."
"You shouldn't speak so, Marian. A hotel parlor is no place to discuss
your father's affairs," admonished Mrs. Bassett.
"Oh, Allen's ever so much fun. He's a Socialist or something. Aunt Sally
likes him ever so much. Aunt Sally likes Mr. Thatcher, too, for that
matter," she concluded boldly.
"Mr. Thatcher is an old friend of mine," said Bassett soberly.
"You can be awfully funny when you want to, papa," replied Marian. "As
we came through Pittsburg this morning I bought a paper that told about
'Stop, Look, Listen.' But Allen won't mind if you do whistle to his
father to keep off the track.
Pages:
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329