k.

"They believe they have." Hill spoke thoughtfully. "He's a man from the
West, who has done some tough work in the desert, but brought back more
in the way of experience than gold. He's been working in the Fortescue
Mine now for six months, a foreman for the past three. Harley tells me
the men will follow him like sheep. But for myself, I'm not so sure of
him."

"Not sure of him? What are you afraid of? Whisky-running?" asked Jack,
with a twinkle.

There was no answering gleam of humour on Hill's face. "I never trust
any man until I know him," he said. "He may be sound, or he may be a
scoundrel. He's got to prove himself."

"You take a fatherly interest in that mine," observed Jack.

"I have a reason," said Fletcher Hill, briefly.

"Ah! Ever met Fortescue himself?"

"Once or twice," said Hill.

"Pretty badly hated, isn't he?" said Jack.

"By the blackguards, yes." Hill spoke with characteristic grimness. "He's
none the worse for that."

"All the better, I should say," remarked Adela. "But what is he like? Is
he an old man?"

"About my age," said Hill.

"I wish you'd give us an introduction to him," she said, with animation.
"I've always wanted to see that mine. You'd like to, too, wouldn't you,
Dot?"

Dot started a little. She had been sitting quite silent in the
background.

"I expect it would be quite interesting," she said, as Hill looked
towards her. "But perhaps it wouldn't be very easy to manage it."

"I could arrange it if you cared to go," said Hill.

"Could you? How kind of you! But it would mean spending the night at
Trelevan, wouldn't it? I--I think we are too busy for that." Dot glanced
at her brother in some uncertainty.

"Oh, it could be managed," said Jack, kindly. "Why not? You don't get
much fun in life. If you want to see the mine, and Hill can arrange it,
it shall be done."

"Thank you," said Dot.

Adela turned towards her. "My dear, do work up a little enthusiasm!
You've sat like a mute ever since you came in. What's the matter?"

Dot was on her feet in a moment. This sort of baiting, good-natured
though it was, was more than she could bear. "I've one or two jobs left
in the kitchen," she said. "I'll go and attend to them--if no one minds."

She was gone with the words, Adela's ringing laugh pursuing her as she
closed the door. She barely paused in the kitchen, but fled to her own
room. She could not--no, she could not--face the laughter and
congratulations that night.