"I've been so
worried about him this summer."
"I wondered at you not going with him," said Douglas.
"He didn't seem to want me," said Leslie. "He said it was a flying trip
and he was forced to be back before some reports from his office were
filed; so he thought I wouldn't enjoy it; and for the first time in my
life he told me distinctly that he didn't have _time_ for me. Fancy Daddy!
I can't understand it."
"I've noticed that he has been brooding and preoccupied of late, not at
all like himself," said Douglas. "Have you any idea what troubles him?"
"Of course! He told me!" said Leslie. "It's Mr. Swain. When Daddy was a
boy, Mr. Swain was his father's best friend, and when grandfather died, he
asked him to guide Daddy, and he not only did that, but he opened his
purse and started him in business. Now Mr. Swain is growing old, and some
of his investments have gone wrong; just when political changes made
business close as could be, he lost heavily; and then came the war. There
was no way but for Daddy to stay here and fight to save what he could for
him.
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