Directly the guest was ushered into her presence.
"I needn't ask if I see you well, Mrs. Burton," he said, suavely. "Your appearance is a sufficient answer."
"Thank you," answered Mrs. Burton, coldly.
Aaron Wolverton noticed the coldness, but did not abate any of his suavity. He only said to himself: "The time will come when you will feel forced to give me a better reception, my lady!"
"I have called on a little business," he resumed.
"Is it about the interest?" asked the widow.
"No; for the present I waive that. I have been made the victim of a base theft, and it may cost me a hundred and fifty dollars: but I will not speak of that now."
"What other business can you have with me?"
"What!" exclaimed Mrs. Burton, indignantly.
Aaron Wolverton chuckled, thereby showing a row of defective and discolored teeth.
"You misunderstand me," he said. "I come to make you an offer for your wheat crop, which I suppose is nearly all gathered in."
"Yes," answered the widow relieved. "Robert tells me that it will be all harvested within three days."
"Just so. Now, I am willing to save you a great deal of trouble by buying the entire crop at a fair valuation."
"In that case, Mr. Wolverton, you will allow me to send for Robert. He attends to the business of the ranch, and understands much more about it than I do."
"Wait a minute, Mrs. Burton. Robert is no doubt a smart boy, but you give him too much credit."
"I don't think I do. He has shown, since his father's death, a judgment not often found in a boy of his age."
"She is infatuated about that boy!" thought Wolverton. "However, as I have a point to carry, I won't dispute with her."
"You may be right," he said, "but in this matter I venture to think that you and I can make a bargain without any outside help."
"You can, at any rate, state your proposition, Mr. Wolverton."
"Have you any idea as to the amount of your wheat crop?"
"Robert tells me there will be not far from fourteen hundred bushels."
Wolverton's eyes showed his pleasure. If he made the bargain proposed, this would bring him an excellent profit. "Very good!" he said. "It will be a great help to you."
"Yes; I feel that we are fortunate, especially when I consider that the ranch has been carried on by a boy of sixteen."