"Well, she wants me to sell out the tannery at the Bottom and give Asahel the money to invest in iron works in Coaltown."
"Iron works! What in the world does she think he would do with iron works? He knows nothing about them."
"No, but her kinsman over there, Mr. Jackson, is engaged in a furnace, and wants Asahel to go in with him."
"I hope you won't consent?" said Mrs. Van Alstine, rather anxiously.
"You may believe I didn't; I have seen too much of that sort of thing. I said no straight up and down, and I believe Asahel was glad of it."
"But what put it in their heads?"
"Oh, the reason is plain enough. Gerty complains that she is buried in Rock Bottom, and she wants to go to Coaltown and make as much figure as Mrs. Jackson. Well, there! I won't let it make a fool of me. The Lord has borne with me all these years, and it's a pity if I can't bear with her."
"And about Marie?"
"Let her go, by all means, only make her understand that this is always her home and she will be welcome here. And, by the way, what do you think about Harry and Stannie now?"
"I think it is turning out as we hoped it would," answered Mrs. Van Alstine; "but don't you hint by word or look as if you saw anything, or you may spoil it all."