He handed Sam a quarter, and the hungry boy followed his advice, faring quite as well as he would have done at his uncle's table. Rather to Mr. Wolverton's surprise, he worked all the afternoon without showing signs of hunger, and that gentleman began to consider whether, after all, two meals a day were not sufficient for him.
Though the receipt was lost, Wolverton could not give up his plan of extorting the interest from Mrs. Burton a second time. It might have been supposed that he would have some qualms of conscience about robbing the widow and the fatherless, but Mr. Wolverton's conscience, if he had any, gave him very little trouble. He would have thought himself a fool to give up one hundred and fifty dollars if there was the slightest chance of securing them.
Towards evening of the day on which Bob had interfered with him, he took his hat and cane, and set out for Burton's Ranch.
It so happened that Bob answered the bell. He had been sitting with his mother, chatting about their future plans.
"Good-evening, Mr. Wolverton," said Bob, who felt it incumbent upon him to be polite to a guest, even though he disliked him.
"Evening," returned Wolverton, curtly. "Is your mother at home?"
Wolverton had not the good manners to acknowledge the invitation with thanks, but strode into the sitting-room, following Bob.
The widow anticipated his visit, having been informed by Bob that he had announced his intention of coming.
"Good-evening, Mr. Wolverton. Take a seat," she said, pointing to a chair a few feet from her own. "Robert, take Mr. Wolverton's hat."
Wolverton looked at the widow with a hungry gaze, for she was the only woman, he had ever loved.
"If she would only marry me, all her troubles would be over," he said to himself. "She's a fool to refuse."
We, who have some idea of Mr. Wolverton's character and disposition, are more likely to conclude that marriage with such a man would be only the beginning of trouble.
"I've come on business, Mrs. Burton," said the visitor, in an aggressive tone.
"State it, if you please, Mr. Wolverton," the widow answered, calmly.
"Hadn't you better send your son out of the room? We'd better discuss this matter alone."
"I have no secrets from Robert," said the widow.