He looked across at Cash writing steadily in his precise way,
duly bequeathing his worldly goods to Lovin; owning, too, his
responsibilities in another direction, but still making Lovin Child his
chief heir so far as he knew. On the spur of the moment Bud had thought
to do the same thing. But could he do it?
He seemed to see his own baby standing wistfully aloof, pushed out of
his life that this baby he had no right to keep might have all of his
affections, all of his poor estate. And Marie, whose face was always in
the back of his memory, a tearful, accusing vision that would not let
him be--he saw Marie working in some office, earning the money to feed
and clothe their child. And Lovin Child romping up and down the cabin,
cuddled and scolded and cared for as best an awkward man may care for a
baby--a small, innocent usurper.
Bud dropped his face in his palms and tried to think the thing out
coldly, clearly, as Cash had stated his own case. Cash did not know
where his own child was, and he did not seem to care greatly. He was
glad to salve his conscience with a small bequest, keeping the bulk--if
so tenuous a thing as Cash's fortune may be said to have bulk--for this
baby they two were hiding away from its lawful parents. Cash could do
it; why couldn't be? He raised his head and looked over at Lovin Child,
asleep in his new and rumpled little finery. Why did his own baby come
between them now, and withhold his hand from doing the same?
Cash finished, glanced curiously across at Bud, looked down at what he
had written, and slid the sheet of paper across.
"You sign it, and then if you don't know just how to word yours, you can
use this for a pattern. I've read law books enough to know this will
get by, all right. It's plain, and it tells what I want, and that's
sufficient to hold in court."
Bud read it over apathetically, signed his name as witness, and pushed
the paper back.
"That's all right for you," he said heavily. "Your kid is grown up now,
and besides, you've got other property to give her. But--it's different
with me. I want this baby, and I can't do without him. But I can't give
him my share in the claims, Cash. I--there's others that's got to be
thought of first."