merchant of property and increasing importance; the latter became a part
owner of an iron furnace situated not far from the Penny holding; he
assisted Gilbert in the erection of a forge; and in less than twenty
years Gilbert Penny had grown to be a half proprietor in the Furnace,
with--

"Howat," Caroline broke in on his thoughts sharply, "I came in, as I
said, to talk about something very important to me, and I intend to do
it." Even after that decided announcement she hesitated, a deeper
colour stained her dear cheeks. "You mustn't laugh at me," she warned
him; "or think I'm horrid. I can talk to you like this because you seem
a--a little outside of things, as if you were looking on at a rather
poorly done play; and you are entirely honest yourself."

He nodded condescendingly, his interest at last retrieved from the
contemplation of his mother as a young woman.

"It's about David," Caroline stated almost defiantly. "Howat, I think
I'm very fond of David. No, you mustn't interrupt me. When he went away
I liked him a lot; but now that he is back, and quite grown up, it's
more than liking ... Howat. His father brought him out here right away
he returned, and for a special reason. He was very direct about it; he
wants David to marry--Myrtle. I heard father--yes, I listened--and him
talking it over, and our old darling was pleased to death. It's natural,
Mr. Forsythe is one of the most influential men in the city; and father
adores Myrtle more than anything else in the world." She paused, and he
studied her in a growing wonder; suddenly she seemed older, her mouth
was drawn in a hard line: a new Caroline. "You know Myrtle," she added.

He did, and considered the youngest Penny with a new objectivity. Myrtle