Jacob laughed unpleasantly. “Well, I reckon he wasn’t,” he remarked, and as his thoughts went back to a certain gray morning in Little Neck Meadow, his face reddened. The colonel wriggled uncomfortably in his chair. “What did he want to shoot Aylett for?” he demanded. “You’ve forgotten, I suppose, that Aylett called him a liar twice in court,” said Jacob dryly. “He didn’t shoot you for a greater provocation,” retorted the colonel bluntly. “He was the only man found in the court-room with the smoking weapon,” said Jacob. “Juniper ran away, and he’s been protecting Juniper,--buying him off from testifying, I reckon.” “I can’t understand why either he or Juniper was in the court-room,” declared the colonel, frowning. “Had good reason to be,” replied Jacob tartly, tossing his cigarette over the rail. “See here, Jacob,” said the colonel solemnly, “I’m an old man and your relation, and I feel free to give you advice. You keep your oar out of it.” Jacob laughed. “I’ve got to testify,” he drawled. “Good Lord!” exclaimed the colonel. Then followed several moments of intense silence. “Where’s Diana?” asked the young man at last, rising and flipping some ashes off his coat. “In the flower garden,” replied her father thoughtfully, “she’s seeing to some plants for winter; I reckon she won’t want you around.” Jacob looked more agreeable. “I think I’ll go all the same,” he said, strolling away. The colonel leaned forward in his chair and called after him. “Jacob, how about these stocks? I wanted to sell out at eight and three quarter cents.” Eaton paused reluctantly, his hands in his pockets. “You can next week,” he said; “the market’s slumped this. You’d better let me handle that deal right through, Cousin David.” “You’ve been doing it straight along,” said the colonel. “I reckon I’d better wake up and remember that I used to know something. I’m equal to strong meats yet, Jacob, and you’ve been putting me on pap.” “Oh, it’s all right!” said Jacob. “I’ll sell the shares out for you,” and he departed. The colonel sat watching him. The old thought that he would probably marry Diana no longer had any attractions for him; he had lost confidence in Jacob’s sleek complacence, and the recent testimony in court had shaken it still more. Besides, he had a fine pride of family, and the verdict against Jacob had irritated and mortified him. Nothing was too good for Diana, and the fact that there was the shadow of a great sorrow upon her made her even dearer to her father. He had never thought that she had more than a passing fancy for Jacob, and lately he had suspected that she disliked him. The colonel ruminated, strumming on the piazza balustrade with absent fingers. Before him the long slope of the lawn was still as green as summer, but the horse-chestnut burs were open and the glossy nuts fell with every light breeze. Across the road a single gum tree waved a branch of flame.