He undoubled his length from his old chair. "Suppose we drop my hypothetical friend, and talk about yourself." He stood, with his long legs straddled, looking down upon Carron, who sat at sharp struggle with his temper, exasperation and disappointment descending on him at once. "Suppose you stay over a few days, get a rest and look around. Perhaps you can get a little shooting," Rader suggested.
Carron grinned in spite of himself to hear his own fabrication come back upon him like a boomerang. "Thanks," he said dryly, "I only bargained with Mrs. Rader to stop overnight."
"Well, bargain with me then."
"I have," said Carron. "No use!"
They looked at each other appreciatively. Rader reached a hand and patted Carron's shoulder. "Stay over a few days—stay over!" he said almost gaily. "It may interest you to look around the place! No knowing what may turn up!"
Carron raised his eyes quickly. Rader's manner was significant. His face did not hold a double meaning; 'twas rather as if the inspiration behind had been unconscious.
"If I do," Carron said, "will you go hunting with me?"
Rader looked down at himself. "I haven't been
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