m to Mexico a few months ago. I wonder
if Willa happened to run across him? He's a splendid fellow and Larkin
banks on his judgment and efficiency. That's the sort of life to bring
out the best in a man, or a woman either, to judge from our small
cousin. I like her independence, I don't mind telling you. It shows
self-reliance and strength."

"But Willa has not the slightest idea of obligation," his wife
remarked. "She seems rather to look on the situation as one for mutual
commiseration. Any other poor, neglected, friendless creature from the
backwoods would be transported into the seventh heaven at such great
good fortune, but she accepts it as a more or less onerous duty."

"You wouldn't call her exactly friendless if you had witnessed the
parting ovation she received; the whole town turned out. She's more
than a popular favorite down there, she's an idol. Everyone seems to
worship her, down to the lowest half-breed. If we handle her right, I
shouldn't wonder if she turns out to be a mighty-fine woman."

"If we do?" Mrs. Halstead raised her eyebrows. "Perhaps you have some
method to suggest. I admit that for the moment I am baffled. She
refused flatly last night to go out of mourning, and I was really
thankful for it after reflection; we can at least keep her in the
background now, until I have succeeded in eliminating some of those
frightful gambling expressions from her vocabulary. She seems to have
been passionately fond of the impossible person who brought her up. I
shudder to think of the impression she would make now on our circle of
friends. She doesn't seem in the least ashamed of her past
environment, or desirous of concealing her connection with such a
character."

The attorney chuckled.

"I wouldn't advise you to tackle that subject for awhile," he said.
"You ought to have heard the flaying she gave me when I suggested that
no one but the immediate family need know about her foster father. Her
opinion of her respected grandfather, in comparison with Gentleman
Geoff, was illuminating."

He gave them the gist of it, and Mrs. Halstead listened with tightened
lips.

"I shall tell Willa quite plainly that we and our friends are not
interested in her past but only in what she is and may become. She
appears to have at least a glimmering of sense and she must soon
perceive for herself how disgraceful the whole unfortunate affair would
seem to outsiders." She paused. "There is somethin