“Yes,” said Mrs. Murray, “Ranald has often spoken of you, Colonel Thorp, and of your kindness,” said Mrs. Murray.
The colonel looked doubtful. “Well, I don't know that he thinks much of me. I have had to be pretty hard on him.”
“Why?” asked Mrs. Murray.
“Well, I reckon you know him pretty well,” began the colonel.
“Well, she ought to,” said Kate, “she brought him up, and his many virtues he owes mostly to my dear aunt's training.”
“Oh, Kate, you must not say that,” said Mrs. Murray, gravely.
“Then,” said the colonel, “you ought to be proud of him. You produced a rare article in the commercial world, and that is a man of honor. He is not for sale, and I want to say that I feel as safe about the company's money out there as if I was settin' on it; but he needs watching,” added the colonel, “he needs watching.”
“What do you mean?” said Mrs. Murray, whose pale face had flushed with pleasure and pride at the colonel's praise of Ranald.
“Too much philanthropy,” said the colonel, bluntly; “the British-American Coal and Lumber Company ain't a benevolent society exactly.”
“I am glad you spoke of that, Colonel Thorp; I want to ask you about some things that I don't understand. I know that the company are criticising some of Ranald's methods, but don't know why exactly.”