"Oh, yes, sir, I do."
"Because the only thing that matters to me now is setting myself straight with you and Mr. Nichols."
He paused in a difficulty of speech and then went on.
"He—Mr. Nichols has told you everything——?"
Beth wagged her head like a solemn child and then laid her other hand on his.
"Oh, I'm so sorry for you," she said.
"You mustn't say that," he muttered. "I—I've done you a great wrong—not trying to find out about Ben Cameron—not trying to find you. But I've suffered for it, Miss——" And then eagerly——"You don't mind my calling you Beth, do you?"
"No, Mr. McGuire."
"I ought to have told what happened. I ought to have tried to find out if Ben Cameron had any kin. I did wrong. But I've paid for it. I've never had a happy hour since I claimed that mine that didn't belong to me. I've made a lot of money but what I did has been hanging over me for years making an old man of me before my time——"
"Oh, please don't be unhappy any more——"