He didn't tell you any of this because he
didn't want to spoil your pleasure; but I am certain that if he had
known who I was before I came he would not have allowed you to ask
me into your home."
"Nonsense! You are way off. Why, he's been as interested in having
you with us as I have; at least he has acted so."
"_Acted_ is just the word," Van cut in. "He has acted, all
right. I guess you'll find he's been acting all the time. Honor
bright, hasn't he said anything to you about me?"
"No, not one word." Then suddenly Bob flushed; the memory of his
father's strange conversation about the boy's visit to the refinery
rushed over him. "Dad did say one thing which I did not understand
at the time," he confessed reluctantly. "Perhaps, though, he did not
mean anything by it."
"What was it?"
Bob struggled to evade the issue.
"Oh, it was nothing much."
"Come, Bobbie, you and I are friends," interrupted Van, "and we want
to keep on being friends no matter how our fathers feel toward one
another. If they have quarreled it is a great pity, but at least we
needn't. The only way to straighten out this tangle is to be honest
with each other and get at the truth; then, and not until then shall
we know where we stand."
"You're a brick, Van!"
"Come ahead then--let's have it. What was it your father said?"
"He merely asked whether it was your plan or mine to visit the
refinery, and when I told him I suggested it he inquired all over
again if I was sure you did not mention it first," Bob returned in
very low tone.
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