"It's about a third what she's worth," announced Burleson. "If I were
you, I'd add seventy-five per cent., and hold out like--like a demon for
it."
"But I cannot ask more than we paid--"
"Why not?"
"I--don't know. Is it honorable?"
They looked at each other for a moment, then he began to laugh. To her
surprise, she felt neither resentment nor chagrin, although he was
plainly laughing at her. So presently she laughed, too, a trifle
uncertainly, shy eyes avoiding his, yet always returning curiously. She
did not know just why; she was scarcely aware that she took pleasure in
this lean-faced young horseman's company.
"I have always believed," she began, "that to sell anything for more
than its value was something as horrid as--as usury."
"Such a transaction resembles usury as closely as it does the theory of
Pythagoras," he explained; and presently their laughter aroused the
workmen, who looked up, leaning on spade and pick.
"I cannot understand," she said, "why you make such silly remarks or why
I laugh at them. A boy once affected me in the same way--years ago."
She sat up straight, a faint smile touching her mouth and eyes. "I think
that my work is about ended here, Mr. Burleson. Do you know that my
pupils are enjoying a holiday--because you choose to indulge in a
forest-fire?"
He strove to look remorseful, but he only grinned.
"I did not suppose you cared," she said, severely, but made no motion to
rise.
Presently he mentioned the mare again, asking if she really desired to
sell her; and she said that she did.
"Then I'll wire to-night," he rejoined. "There should be a check for you
day after to-morrow."
"But suppose the man did not wish to buy her?"
"No chance of that. If you say so, the mare is sold from this moment."
"I do say so," she answered, in a low voice, "and thank you, Mr.
Burleson. You do not realize how astonished I am--how fortunate--how
deeply happy--"
"I can only realize it by comparison," he said.
What, exactly, did he mean by that? She looked around at him; he was
absorbed in scooping a hole in the pine-needles with his riding-crop.
She made up her mind that his speech did not always express his
thoughts; that it was very pleasant to listen to, but rather vague than
precise.
"It is quite necessary," he mused aloud, "that I meet your father--"