They were pleased with their
father's attitude in prosperity, and felt that perhaps he was not
unworthy of being proud of them hereafter.
"But we're goin' to leave Sidon," said Phemie, "ain't we, paw?"
"As soon as I can run up a new house at the embarcadero," said Harkutt
peevishly, "and that's got to be done mighty quick if I want to make a
show to the company and be in possession."
"And that's easier for you to do, dear, now that 'Lige's disappeared,"
said Mrs. Harkutt consolingly.
"What do ye mean by that? What the devil are ye talkin' about?" demanded
Harkutt suddenly with unexpected exasperation.
"I mean that that drunken 'Lige would be mighty poor company for the
girls if he was our only neighbor," returned Mrs. Harkutt submissively.
Harkutt, after a fixed survey of his wife, appeared mollified. The two
girls, who were mindful of his previous outburst the evening before,
exchanged glances which implied that his manners needed correction for
prosperity.
"You'll want a heap o' money to build there, Dan'l," said Mrs. Harkutt
in plaintive diffidence.
"Yes! Yes!" said Harkutt impatiently. "I've kalkilated all that, and
I'm goin' to 'Frisco to-morrow to raise it and put this bill of sale on
record." He half drew Elijah Curtis's paper from his pocket, but paused
and put it back again.
"Then THAT WAS the paper, dad," said Phemie triumphantly.
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