“I was very cautious about particularizing in any matter capable of substantiation.”
“I wouldn’t for the world have him know. The loss—er the loss was slight.”
Barnes felt his heart warm towards Aunt Philomela. It would have warmed still more had he known that this investment involved half her scant property.
“I mentioned the fact that Bill with his wider experience held out very bright prospects for the mine.”
“It was thoughtful of you to lay it to Bill.”
Mr. Van Patten instantly offered to assist me to the limits of his means.
“If you dare allow him to invest—”
“I haven’t even any gilded certificates,” he reminded her.
“Of course not. I forgot.”
“This is merely a picture. As you see picture making can be the most harmless of occupations. We artists produce the effect, without the danger; we present the rose, without the thorns; we develop our mines, without certificates. I assured Mr. Van Patten that this was no time to invest.”