"
Nell, out of breath, ran away evidently to make herself presentable,
according to her idea of the exigency of the case. Belding caught
a glimpse of his wife's face as she went out, and it wore a sad,
strange, anxious expression. Then Belding sat alone, pondering
the contracting emotions of his wife and daughter. It was beyond
his understanding. Women were creatures of feeling. Belding
saw reason to be delighted to entertain Dick's family; and
for the time being no disturbing thought entered his mind.
Presently the Gales came back into the sitting-room, looking
very different without the long gray cloaks and veils. Belding
saw distinction and elegance. Mr. Gale seemed a grave, troubled,
kindly person, ill in body and mind. Belding received the same
impression of power that Ben Chase had given him, only here it
was minus any harshness or hard quality. He gathered that Mr. Gale
was a man of authority. Mrs. Gale rather frightened Belding, but
he could not have told why. The girl was just like Dick as he used
to be.
Their manner of speaking also reminded Belding of Dick. They
talked of the ride from Ash Fork down to the border, of the
ugly and torn-up Casita, of the heat and dust and cactus along
the trail. Presently Nell came in, now cool and sweet in white,
with a red rose at her breast. Belding had never been so proud
of her. He saw that she meant to appear well in the eyes of
Dick's people, and began to have a faint perception of what the
ordeal was for her.
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