CHAPTER XII

ALICE HEATH HAS A VISION

This change of legal adviser, while very important to Ben Fordyce and the Haneys, did not seem to trouble Allen Crego very much. As a matter of fact, he was about to run for Congress, and had all the business he could attend to anyway. He liked the young Quaker, and responded "All right" in the frank Western fashion, sending the Haneys away quite as solidly friendly as before. To Ben he was most cordial. "I'm glad you're going to settle here, and I'm specially glad you've got a retainer; for the field is overcrowded, and it may take a long time for you to get a place. We old fellows who came down along with the pioneers have an immense advantage. I wish you every success." And he meant it.

Only when he got home to Mrs. Crego did he come to realize what a horrible injury he had permitted "a young and inexperienced Eastern boy" to do himself. "This connection will ostracize them both," his wife said.

He answered a little wearily. "Oh, now, my dear, I think you take your social Medes and Persians too seriously. We lawyers can't afford to inquire into the private affairs of our clients too closely--especially if they are derived from the pioneer West. Ben Fordyce doesn't become responsible for Haney's past; it is a business and not a social arrangement."

"That's like a man," she responded; "they never see anything till it bumps their noses. They've both called on the Haneys and gone riding with them--or with the girl. They've even eaten luncheon there!"

Now, provide a numbered list of answers to these questions:

1. What is Crego's current job?
2. Did he just lose some clients?
3. Who?
4. Who does this change matter most to?
5. Who did the clients hire to replace the old lawyer?
6. Is he experienced?
7. Why is getting a new client meaningful to him?
8. Is he socially close to his new client?
9. How so?
10. Why might that be a problem?
11. Who thinks that?
12. Does her husband agree?
13. Why not?
14. How long has he been in that line of work?
15. Does he have future plans?
16. To do what?
17. Is he likely to win?
18. How are his relationships with former clients?
19. How is his relationship with the Haneys in particular?
20. What part of the US are they in?

Numbered answers:
1. He's a lawyer
2. Yes
3. The Haneys
4. Mrs. Crego
5. Ben Fordyce
6. No
7. The field is overcrowded
8. Yes
9. They've called on the Haneys and gone riding with them
10. The connection will ostracize them
11. Mrs. Crego
12. No
13. Because it is a business
14. unknown
15. Yes
16. To run for Congress
17. unknown
18. unknown
19. Solidly friendly
20. unknown