know it."

Her father gazed at her in astonishment.

"Surely this is quite unwarranted, Nora," he said. "I cannot allow a
matter of this kind to be dragged into a matter of business."

"How would it do to take a few days to turn it over in our minds?" said
his wife. "We must not forget, dear," she continued, a note of grave
anxiety in her voice, "that if we accept this proposition it will mean a
complete change in our family life."

"Family life, Mother," said Mr. Gwynne with some impatience. "You don't
mean--"

"I mean, my dear," replied the mother, "that we shall no longer be
ranchers, but shall become coal miners. Let us think it over and
perhaps you might consult with some of our neighbours, say with Mr.
Waring-Gaunt."

"Surely, surely," replied her husband. "Your advice is wise, as always.
I shall just step over to Mr. Waring-Gaunt's immediately."

After Mr. Gwynne's departure, the others sat silent for some moments,
their minds occupied with the question raised so abruptly by Nora.

"You may as well face it, Mother," said the girl. "Indeed, you must face
it, and right now. If this Company goes on with Ernest as secretary, it
means that he will necessarily be thrown into closer relationship with
our family. This will help his business with Kathleen. This is what he
means. Do you wish to help it on?"

The mother sat silent, her face showing deep distress. "Nora dear," at
length she said, "this matter is really not in our hands. Surely you can
see that. I can't discuss it with you." And so saying she left the room.

"Now, Nora," said Larry severely, "you are not to worry Mother. And
besides you can't play Providence in this way. You must confess that you
have a dreadful habit of trying to run things. I believe you would have
a go at running the universe."

"Run things?" cried Nora. "Why not? There is altogether too much of
letting things slide in this family. It is all very well to trust to
Providence. Providence made the trees grow in the woods, but this house
never would have been here if Mr. Sleighter had not got on to the
job. Now I am going to ask you a straight question. Do you want Ernest
Switzer to have Kathleen?"

"Well, he's a decent sort and a clever fellow," began Larry.

"Now, Larry, you may as well cut that 'decent sort,' 'clever fellow'
stuff right out. I want to know your mind. Would you like to see Ernest
Switzer have Kathleen, or not?"

"Would you?" retorted her brother.

"No. I