arp inflection.
"Be still, Howat," his mother said unexpectedly. "This is all very
regrettable, Gilbert," she told her husband; "but it is an impossible
subject of discussion." Gilbert Penny continued hotly, "He wouldn't stay
about here." She replied equably, "On the contrary, Howat shall be at
Myrtle Forge until he himself chooses to leave."

Howat was conscious of a surprise almost as moving as that pictured on
his father's countenance. He had never heard Isabel Penny speak in that
manner before; perhaps at last she would reveal what he had long
speculated over--her true, inner situation. But he saw at once that he
was to be again disappointed; the speaker was immediately enveloped in
her detachment, the air that seemed almost one of a spectator in the
Penny household. She smiled deprecatingly. How fine she was, Howat
thought. Gilbert Penny did not readily recover from his consternation;
his surprise had notably increased to that. His mouth was open, his face
red and agitated. "Before the children, Isabel," he complained. "Don't
know what to think. Surely, surely, you don't uphold Howat? Outrageous
conduct if it's true. And Myrtle so gentle, never hurt any one in her
life." Myrtle circled the table, and found a place in his arms. "If they
had only told me," she protested. "If Caroline--" He patted her flushed
cheeks. "Don't give it another thought," he directed; "a girl as pretty
as you! I'll take you to London, where you'll have a string of men, not
Quakers, fine as peacocks." He bent his gaze on his son.

"Didn't I tell you last evening that the cast metal has been light?" he
demanded. "Must I beg you to go to the Furnace? Or perhaps that too
conflicts with your mother's fears for you. There are stumps in the
road." There was a whisper of skirts at the door, and Ludowika Winscombe
stood smiling at them. Myrtle turned her tear-swollen face upon her
father's shoulder. Howat wondered if Ludowika had slept. He endeavoured
in vain to discover from her serene countenance something of her
thoughts of what had occurred. He had a sudden inspiration.

"I can go to Shadrach as soon as Adam saddles a horse," he told his
father. "You were curious about the Furnace," he added to Ludowika,
masking the keen anxiety he felt at what was to follow; "it's a sunny
day, a pleasant ride." She answered without a trace of feeling other
than a casual politeness. "Thank you, since it will be my only
opportunity. I'll have to change." She wa