"Some other time then? I'd like to meet her."
"Perhaps."
"Won't she be at Hiram's to-morrow at the family party at Millerstown?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because Hiram won't invite her. We have very little to do with her, my dear, except to give her her home."
"You do that?" She wondered at the number of people he supported.
"Well, she lives in our old home near our coal lands. We don't charge her any rent."
"I'm going out to see her some time, Daniel. Since you don't care to visit her, I'll take Miss Hamilton. I'd like to see your coal lands and your old home."
Daniel looked apoplectic. "Margaret!" he gasped. "Listen to me! Don't speak to any one of my step-mother! Hardly any one knows we have one and we don't want them to know it."