tion
which has become very threatening. You know about that West Virginian
paint?"

Corey nodded.

"Well, he tells me that they've struck a vein of natural gas out there
which will enable them to make as good a paint as his own at a cost of
manufacturing so low that they can undersell him everywhere. If this
proves to be the case, it will not only drive his paint out of the
market, but will reduce the value of his Works--the whole plant--at
Lapham to a merely nominal figure."

"I see," said Corey dejectedly. "I've understood that he had put a
great deal of money into his Works."

"Yes, and he estimated his mine there at a high figure. Of course it
will be worth little or nothing if the West Virginia paint drives his
out. Then, besides, Lapham has been into several things outside of his
own business, and, like a good many other men who try outside things,
he's kept account of them himself; and he's all mixed up about them.
He's asked me to look into his affairs with him, and I've promised to
do so. Whether he can be tided over his difficulties remains to be
seen. I'm afraid it will take a good deal of money to do it--a great
deal more than he thinks, at least. He believes comparatively little
would do it. I think differently. I think that anything less than a
great deal would be thrown away on him. If it were merely a question
of a certain sum--even a large sum--to keep him going, it might be
managed; but it's much more complicated. And, as I say, it must have
been a trial to him to refuse your offer."

This did not seem to be the way in which Bellingham had meant to
conclude. But he said no more; and Corey made him no response.

He remained pondering the case, now hopefully, now doubtfully, and
wondering, whatever his mood was, whether Penelope knew anything of the
fact with which her mother went nearly at the same moment to acquaint
her.

"Of course, he's done it on your account," Mrs. Lapham could not help
saying.

"Then he was very silly. Does he think I would let him give father
money? And if father lost it for him, does he suppose it would make it
any easier for me? I think father acted twice as well. It was very
silly."

In repeating the censure, her look was not so severe as her tone; she
even smiled a little, and her mother reported to her father that she
acted more like herself than she had yet since Corey's offer.

"I think, if he was to repeat his offer, she would have him now," s