"Oh, of course, no difference," Gifford replied with an impatient laugh.

"But what is the attraction in Ashurst, Giff?" Helen said. "How can he
stay there all summer? I should not think he could leave his business."

"Oh, he is rich."

"Why, you don't like him!" said Helen, surprised at his tone.

"I don't know anything about the fellow," the young man answered. "I
haven't seen enough of him to have an opinion one way or the other.
Judging from aunt Ruth's letters, though, I should say Lois liked him, so
I don't think he will be anxious for my approval, or anybody else's."

Helen looked at him with sudden questioning in her eyes, but they had
reached his house, and John began to speak to him of his plans and of
Lockhaven.

"I'm afraid you will have only too much to do," he said. "There
is a great deal of quarreling among the mill-owners, and constant
disagreements between the hands."

"Well," Gifford answered, smiling, and straightening his broad shoulders,
"if there is work to do, I am glad I am here to do it. But I'm not
hopeless for the life it indicates, when you say there's much to be done.
The struggle for personal rights and advantages is really, you know, the
desire for the best, and a factor in civilization. A generation or two
hence, the children of these pushing, aggressive fathers will be fine
men."