tgomery."

"Well, Montgomery is interesting just the same," said Phil defensively.
"The people are all so nice and folksy."

He hastened to disavow any intention of slurring the town. He should
always feel that it was home, no matter how far he might wander. He
explained, in the confidence that seemed to be establishing itself
between them, that there was a remote possibility that he might return
to Montgomery and go into the bank with his uncle, who needed
assistance. It was desirable, he explained, to keep the management of
the bank in the hands of the family.

"You know," he went on, "they printed outrageous stories about all of us
in the 'Advertiser.' They were the meanest sort of lies, but I'd like
you to know that we met the issue squarely. I've turned over to your
father as trustee all the property they claimed we had come by
dishonestly. The world will never know this, for your father shut up the
newspapers--it was quite wonderful the way he managed it all;--and, of
course, it doesn't make any difference what the world thinks. This was
my affair, the honor of my family, and a matter of my own conscience."

Her knowledge of the traction muddle was sufficient to afford a
background of plausibility for this highminded renunciation. There was
something likable in Charles Holton. His volubility, which had
prejudiced her against him in the beginning, seemed now to speak for a
frankness that appealed to her. There was no reason for his telling her
these things unless he cared for her good opinion; and it was not
disagreeable to find that this man, who was ten years her senior and
possessed of what struck her as an ample experience of life, should be
at pains to entrench himself in her regard.

As she made no reply other than to meet his eyes in a look of
sympathetic comprehension, he went on:--

"You won't mind my saying that we were all terribly cut up over Uncle
Jack's coming back here; but I guess we've disposed of him. I don't
think he's likely to trouble Montgomery very much. Uncle Will had it out
with him the day after he showed up so disgracefully at your party; and,
of course, Uncle Jack would never have done that if he had been himself.
He went to Indianapolis and tried to make a lot of trouble for all of
us, but that was where your father showed himself the fine man he is. I
guess it isn't easy to put anything over on that father of yours; he's
got the brains and character to meet any difficulty squarel