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.  Belding imagined the sooner the Gales were told that Dick was to marry Nell the better for all concerned, and especially for Nell.  In the general conversation that ensued he sought for an opening in which to tell this important news, but he was kept so busy answering questions about his position on the border, the kind of place Forlorn River was, the reason for so many tents, etc., that he was unable to find opportunity.

“It’s very interesting, very interesting,” said Mr. Gale.  “At another time I want to learn all you’ll tell me about the West.  It’s new to me.  I’m surprised, amazed, sir, I may say....But, Mr. Belding, what I want to know most is about my son.  I’m broken in health.  I’ve worried myself ill over him.  I don’t mind telling you, sir, that we quarreled.  I laughed at his threats.  He went away.  And I’ve come to see that I didn’t know Richard.  I was wrong to upbraid him.  For a year we’ve known nothing of his doings, and now for almost six months we’ve not heard from him at all.  Frankly, Mr. Belding, I weakened first, and I’ve come to hunt him up.  My fear is that I didn’t start soon enough.  The boy will have a great position some day—­God knows, perhaps soon!  I should not have allowed him to run over this wild country for so long.  But I hoped, though I hardly believed, that he might find himself.  Now I’m afraid he’s—­”

Mr. Gale paused and the white hand he raised expressively shook a little.

Belding was not so thick-witted where men were concerned.  He saw how the matter lay between Dick Gale and his father.

“Well, Mr. Gale, sure most young bucks from the East go to the bad out here,” he said, bluntly.

“I’ve been told that,” replied Mr. Gale; and a shade overspread his worn face.

“They blow their money, then go punching cows, take to whiskey.”

“Yes,” rejoined Mr. Gale, feebly nodding.

“Then they get to gambling, lose their jobs,” went on Belding.