Carmella Commands
learned that the highest are human. The thought gave her courage.
“My dad says you try to rob him. He would rather rob you. And so, he will rob. He will sell for seven thousand, or he will not sell. And Mr. Barrington, he can move down the road a mile and begin all over. Do you wish to buy at seven thousand?”
“Not by a damn sight!” exclaimed Mr. Hastings.
“Very good,” said Carmella. “Then take us home.”
Mr. Hastings demurred at this, but Mr. Richmond overruled.
“We brought ’em out,” he said. “We’re bound to see ’em back.”
“Damn dagoes!” said Mr. Hastings.
In grim silence the four drove back to Doty Street.
Carmella was silent because her conscience troubled her. Never before had she consciously deceived her father. And, without his knowledge, she had gambled for him, lying to do it.
But she knew Mrs. Barrington. And Mrs. Barrington was human. No doubt Mr. Barrington was, too.
Even Carmella realized the wonderful difference which a personal acquaintance made in one’s point of view. She knew that lots in Greendale were worth more today than they were worth yesterday. And that they would be worth more tomorrow.
She would have felt still easier had she known how the cement road had come to be built, and of the bus line projected past her father’s land.
[49]
