He opened the door leading to the kitchen, where Miss Sally Wolverton was engaged in some domestic employment.
"Sally, has the Burton boy been here this morning?"
"No; why should he come? He isn't one of your visitors, is he?"
"There was a little business, connected with the farm, which he might have come about."
"I am glad he didn't come," said Sally. "He's too high-strung for me."
"I don't like him myself; but sometimes we have to do business with those we don't like."
"She's got the ranch, but I hold a mortgage of three thousand dollars on it," replied her brother, his features expanding into a wintry smile. A man who can laugh heartily possesses redeeming traits, even if in some respects he is bad; but Aaron Wolverton had never been known to indulge in a hearty laugh.
"No; it can be called in at the end of any year."
"I never liked that woman," said Miss Sally Wolverton, grimly.
Sally Wolverton did not like any woman who was younger and prettier than herself, and there were few who were not prettier. She had never known of her brother's infatuation for the lady she was criticising, otherwise she would have been tempted to express herself even more strongly. She was strongly opposed to his marriage, as this would have removed her from her place in his household, or, even if she remained, would have deprived her of her power. Aaron did not care at present to take her into his confidence. Still he could not forbear coming, in a faint way, to the defense of the woman he admired.
"Mrs. Burton is a fine-looking woman," he said.
"Fine looking!" repeated Sally with a contemptuous sniff. "I don't admire your taste."
"She isn't in your style, Sally," said Aaron, with a sly twinkle in his eye.
Sally Wolverton was taller than her brother, with harsh features, a gaunt, angular figure, and an acid expression.
"I hope not," she answered. "I hope I don't look like an insipid doll."
"You certainly don't, Sally; you have expression enough, I am sure."
"Do you think Mrs. Burton pretty?" asked Sally, suspiciously.
"Oh, so so!" answered Aaron, guardedly; for he did not care to reveal the secret to his sister at present. She was useful to him as a housekeeper, and moreover (an important point) she was very economical; more so than any person whom he could hire. He did indeed pay his sister, but only a dollar a week, and out of this she saved nearly one half, having the gift of economy in quite as large a measure as himself.