No more delightful duty could devolve on him.
"What shall I tell her about the damage if she asks me, sir ?" he demanded, hiding his pleasure in a perfunctory, businesslike tone, "and she will." "Tell her it means all summer here for me and no new bonnets for her until next winter," replied MacFarlane with a grim smile.
"Yes, I suppose, but I referred to the money loss," Jack laughed in reply.

"There is no use worrying her if we are not to blame for this." He didn't intend to worry her.

He was only feeling about for some topic which would prolong his visit and encourage conversation.
"If we are, it means some thousands of dollars on the wrong side of the ledger," answered MacFarlane after a pause, a graver tone in his voice.

"But don't tell Ruth that.

Just give her my message about the bonnet--she will understand." "But not if McGowan is liable," argued Jack.