Mr. Cooper was a little surprised at her question, but he did not show it. “He’s getting along fine, Estelle,” he replied with enthusiasm. “Have you met him—I didn’t know that.”
“No,” said Estelle carelessly. “He was in father’s office one morning—I thought he looked interesting. Why?”
“He’s a dandy chap. Not a city boy at all—used to be a coal miner. We’ve been out together a good deal—Marion likes him tremendously.” (Marion was George Cooper’s sister.)
“Oh,” said Estelle. Then, after a moment—“He was going to tell father about some plan he had. Father told me it was some foolish idea. What ever happened to it?”
The office manager hesitated. He rather liked Estelle. She was a silly, vain little thing, but he liked her—perhaps partly became his sister seemed to be her only real girl friend.
“Can you keep a secret, Estelle?”
The girl nodded.
“Honest?” Mr. Cooper’s manner was as boyish with her as it was stern and authoritative toward his office employees.
“Yes—surely.”
“He and I have been working on it together, and—it’s going through!” said the office manager impressively.