"Is this Miss Molly Brown of Kentucky?"
"Yes. Who is this?"
"This is Richard Blount. Have you forgotten me?"
"Of course not."
"Is your mother Mrs. Mildred Carmichael Brown, of Carmichael Station, Kentucky?"
"Yes."
"Um! I suppose you think it's very strange, Miss Brown, my asking you this question," called the thin, far-away voice. "I had a very good reason for asking it. Have you heard from home lately?"
"Not for a week. Is anything the matter with my family besides the——"
"No, no, nothing that I know of."
"Is it about the mine?"