“That little girl is a hero,” she began.  “I guess she’s about the lonesomest girl in the world to-night.  Andrew Kelton was a man and a good one.  He hadn’t been well for years, the doctor tells me; trouble with his heart, but he kept it to himself; didn’t want to worry the girl.  I tell you everything helps at a time like this.  Admiral Martin came over to represent the Navy, and you saw the G.A.R. there; it caught me in the throat when the bugle blew good-night for Andrew.  Sylvia will rally and go on and do some big thing.  It’s in her.  I reckon she’ll have to go back to college, this being her last year.  Too bad the commencement’s all spoiled for her.”

“Yes; she won’t have much heart for it; but she must get her degree.”

“She’ll need a rest after this.  I’ll go back with her, and then I’m going to take her up to Waupegan with me for the summer.  There are some things to settle about her, and I’m glad you stayed.  Andrew owned this house, but I shouldn’t think Sylvia would want to keep it:  houses in a town like this are a nuisance if you don’t live where you can watch the tenants,” she went on, her practical mind asserting itself.

“I suppose—­” Dan began and then hesitated.  It gave him a curious feeling to be talking of Sylvia’s affairs in this way.

“Go on, Daniel,”—­this marked a departure; she had never called him by his first name before.  “I’m closer to that girl than anybody, and I’m glad to talk to you about her affairs.”

“I suppose there will be something for her; she’s not thrown on her own resources?”

“I guess he didn’t make any will, but what he left is Sylvia’s.  He had a brother in Los Angeles, who died ten years ago.  He was a rich man, and left a big fortune to his children.  If there’s no will there’ll have to be an administrator.  Sylvia’s of age and she won’t need a guardian.”

Dan nodded.  He knew Mrs. Owen well enough by this time to understand that she usually perfected her plans before speaking, and that she doubtless had decided exactly how Andrew Kelton’s estate should be administered.

“I’m going to ask the court to appoint you administrator, Daniel.  You ever acted?  Well, you might as well have the experience.  I might take it myself, but I’m pretty busy and there’ll be some running back and forth to do.  You come back in a day or two and we’ll see how things stand by that time.  As soon as Sylvia gets rested she’ll go back to college to finish up, and then come to me for the summer.”

“She might not like my having anything to do with her affairs,” Dan suggested.  “I shouldn’t want to seem to be intruding.”

“Oh, Sylvia likes you well enough.  The main thing is getting somebody that you’ve got confidence in.  I know some people here, and I guess the court will do about what we want.”

“I should have to come over here frequently until everything was settled,” Dan added, thinking of his duties in the city.  “I suppose if you find it possible for me to serve that I shall have to get Mr. Bassett’s consent; he pays for my time, you know.”