“Really?” she murmured.

“Yes.”  He raised his head and looked at her a trifle wistfully.  “You can’t understand just what Ed’s death meant to me, Miss Walton.  You see, he was about the only real friend I ever had, the only fellow I ever got real close to.  And he was such a thoroughbred, and—­and was so darn—­so mighty good to me!  I tell you, it sort of knocked me out for awhile.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t know him,” said Eve, softly.  “I’m sure I’d have liked him as well as you did.  And perhaps he’d have liked me.”

“I’m sure of that,” said Wade with conviction.

“I suppose he never spoke of me?”

“Only once, I think.  Before he died he told me he had made a will and left me his share of the mine and everything else he had.  I—­oh, well, I didn’t like it and said so.  ‘You’ll have to take it,’ he answered.  ’There’s no one else to leave it to; I’ve got no relatives left except an uncle and a cousin, and they have all the money they need.  You see, he didn’t know about—­”

“I understand.  And even had papa been alive he would have accepted nothing from Edward, I’m certain.”

“But you—­”

“Nor I.”

“I’m sorry to hear you say that,” said Wade, frowningly.  “I’ve been thinking that perhaps—­something might be done.  There’s so much money, Miss Walton, and it doesn’t belong to me.  Don’t you think—­”

“No.”  Eve shook her head gently, but decisively.  “It’s nice of you to want it, Mr. Herrick, but you mustn’t think any more about it.  Papa would never have allowed me to accept any of Cousin Edward’s property if he had been alive, and I shan’t do it now that he is dead.  We won’t speak about that any more, please.  Tell me how you came to visit Eden Village.  To see the house you’d inherited?”

“Yes.  Ed wanted me to.  He was very fond of this place and fond of the house.  ‘I’d rather you always kept it,’ he told me.  ’If the time ever comes when you have to sell it, all right; but until then see that it’s looked after and kept up.’  So this summer, when I found I was going to have a vacation—­the first real one for six years, Miss Walton—­I decided that the first thing I’d do would be to come here and look after Ed’s place.”

“Then yours is only a flying visit?  I’m sorry.”

“No, I think I shall stay some time,” replied Wade.  “I like it immensely.  It’s so different from where I’ve been.  And, besides, the house needs looking after.  I think I’ll have it painted.”

“Then you’ll be sure to make mistakes,” laughed Eve.  “Or perhaps you’ll paint it a different color from this?”

“No, I shan’t; white it must be.  Then, you see, I’ll have every excuse for mistaking this house for my own.”

“I hope you won’t feel that you need an excuse to come here, Mr. Herrick.  We’re not a ceremonious people here.  We can’t afford to be; neighbors are too scarce.”

Wade thanked her and there was a moment’s silence.  Then Eve, who had been smilingly watching the players, turned with lowered voice.