One of the glowing, glimmering sunsets they both delighted in was going on, beautifying the prairie as warmly as the sky. Stanwood came from the shed where he had been feeding the horses, and found his visitor seated in the doorway. He stood observing her critically for a few moments. She made an attractive picture there in the warm sunset light. Before he could check himself he found himself wishing that her mother could see her. Ah! If her mother were here too, it would be almost worth while to begin life over again.
The girl, unconscious of his scrutiny, sat gazing at the view he loved. As he watched her tranquil happy face he felt reconciled and softened. Her hands lay palm downward on her lap. They were shapely hands, large and generous; a good deal tanned and freckled now. There was something about them which he had not noticed before; and almost involuntarily his thoughts got themselves spoken.
"Do you know, Elizabeth, your _thumbs_ are like your mother's!"
Elizabeth felt that it was a concession, but she had learned wisdom. She did not turn her eyes from the range, and she only said quietly, "I am glad of that, papa."
Emboldened by the consciousness of her own discretion, she ventured, later in the evening, to broach a subject fraught with risks. Having armed herself with a piece of embroidery, and placed the lamp between herself and the object of her diplomacy, she remarked in a casual manner:
"I suppose, papa, that Uncle Nicholas has told you how rich we are."
"Nick wrote me with his usual consciousness of virtue that his investments for you had turned out well."
"Our income is twice what it was ten years ago."
"I congratulate you, my dear. I only regret the moral effect upon Nick."
"And I congratulate _you_, papa. Of course it's really yours as long as you live."
"I think you have been misinformed, my dear. It was your mother's property, and is now yours."
"Oh, no, papa! You have a life-interest in it. I am surprised that you did not know that."
"And I am surprised that you should be, or pretend to be, ignorant that the property stands in your name. I have no more concern in it than--Miss Hunniman."
"We won't discuss the matter, if you please, my dear. We can gain nothing by discussion."