"Here, Mr. Bucks," called Mr. Brock, abruptly, through the open door.
"What's the matter with your arrangements? Mr. Glover says he can't go
through the Park."
The patient manager left Judge Saltzer, with whom he was talking, and
came out on the platform. Gertrude went into the car. When the train
reached Sleepy Cat, at dusk, she was sitting alone in her favorite
corner near the rear door. The train stopped at a junction semaphore
and she heard Bucks' voice on the observation platform.
"I hate to see a man ruin his own chances in this way, that's all," he
was saying. "I've set the pins for you to take the rebuilding of the
whole main line, but you succeed admirably in undoing my plans. By
declining this opportunity you relegate yourself to obscurity just as
you've made a hit in the cañon that is a fortune in itself."
"Whatever the effect," she heard someone reply with an effort at
lightness, "deal gently with me, old man. The trouble is of my own
making. I seem unable to face the results."
The train started and the voices were lost. Bucks stepped into the car
and, without seeing Gertrude in the shadow, walked forward. She felt
that Glover was alone on the platform and sat for several moments
irresolute. After a while she rose, crossed to the table and fingered
the roses in the jar. She saw him sitting alone in the dusk and
stepped to the door; the train had slowed for the yard. "Mr.
Glover?--do not get up--may I be frank for a moment? I fear I am
causing unnecessary complications--" Glover had risen.
"You, Miss Brock?"
"Did you really mean what you said to me this afternoon?"
"Very sincerely."
"Then I may say with equal sincerity that I should feel sorry to spoil
papa's plans and Mr. Bucks' and your own."
"It is not you, at all, but I who have----"
"I was going to suggest that something in the nature of a compromise
might be managed----"
"I have lost confidence in my ability to manage anything, but if you
would manage I should be very----"
"It might be for two weeks--" She was half laughing at her own
suggestion and at his seriousness.
"I should try to deserve an extension."
"--To begin to-morrow morning----"
"Gladly, for that would last longer than if it began to-night. Indeed,
Miss Brock, I----"
"But--please--I do not undertake to receive explanations." He could
only bow. "The status," she continued, gravely, "should remain, I
think, the same."