apologies for his blunder at the Howes'.

"Of course, if I had known of your relationship to Captain Gould and
Mr. Hamilton," he began, "I should never--Really, I am--I assure you I
hadn't the slightest idea--"

He was floundering like a stranded fish. Mary helped him off the shoals
by taking the remainder of his apologies for granted.

"Of course you hadn't," she said. "But I am very glad you told me, Mr.
Green. It was high time I knew. Don't say another word about it, please.
I have come to you to ask advice and, perhaps, help of a sort. May I
have a little of your time?"

Mr. Green seized the opportunity thus offered. Indeed, she might have
time, all the time she wanted. Anything in his power to do--and so on.
Being a bachelor and something of an elderly beau who prided himself
upon making a good impression with the sex, it had annoyed him greatly,
the memory of his mistake. Also he had been distinctly taken with Mary
and was anxious to reinstate himself in her opinion. So his willingness
to atone was even eager.

"As it happens," he said, "I am not at all busy this afternoon. I can
give you the rest of the day, if you wish. Now what can I do for you?"

Mary explained that she had come to speak with him concerning her
uncles' business affairs, his house being Hamilton and Company's largest
creditor. She told of her investigations, of the condition in which
she had found the accounts, and of her determination to remain at South
Harniss and work for the upbuilding of the concern.