d to me--what is she going to think if you tell her how many
conspiracies I have been mixed up in? This, Marion, is one of my very
good friends, Carl McGregor. His father was for many years in our mills
and if I mistake not here is his whole family coming up to speak to
us."

"Indeed we are, sir," declared Mrs. McGregor, making a quaint English
curtsy, "and it's scandalized enough I am to see my boy here racing at
you as if he was a wild beast and forgetting all the etiquette I've
taught him. He had a nice speech ready to say but where it is now
heaven only knows!"

"I'd far rather he said to me what he did," asserted Mr. Coulter. "You
see, Carl and I are old friends."

"I don't see," replied the mystified mother, "but no doubt you are,
since you tell me so. I myself had no idea the lad know you from Adam."

"And I hadn't either, Mother. Gee, but it is rich! To think I went
riding with you that day, Mr. Coulter, and speeled off all that guff,
and you never so much as raised an eyelash!"

"Carl!" ejaculated his despairing parent.

"Well, I hope this is not to be the end of our acquaintance,
youngster," Mr. Coulter returned, passing over Mrs. McGregor's rebuke.
"Come and see Mrs. Coulter and me some day. And remember that if you
ever wish to enter the mills I will make a place for you."

"That's bully of you, sir!"

"Carl!" Mrs. McGregor was dumb with consternation. "The very idea of
your speaking to Mr. Coulter like that!" declared she, when at last she
could catch her breath. "Come away before you say anything more to
disgrace the family. There's others waiting to give him their good
wishes and you seem to have forgotten all about yours, although
goodness knows you were drilled and drilled on the speech you were to
make. Yes, Mrs. Coulter, these are my children--all six of them. The
baby's name? James Frederick, after his uncle. And this is Mary, and
Timmie, and Martin, and Nell. The oldest ones had nice things ready to
say to you but Carl has knocked 'em clean out of their heads. I hope
you'll not lay it up against us. No, marm, this tall boy and girl don't
belong to me, but I'm that fond of 'em I wish they did. They are our
neighbors, Hal and Louise Harling."

Instantly Mr. Coulter reached forward and greeted the young people.

"The new job is going well?" he asked, addressing Louise.

"Oh, I'm so happy in it, Mr. Coulter."

"That's good! And you, Harling?"

"I'm getting on splendidly, sir."

"Excell