'If there were always some one else on hand.'
'The house is big enough for them and us too. I am glad I went over it this morning.'
'Yes, big enough for anything,' said Hazel eagerly. 'But then at mealsin the evening.Just when the mills and I do not come into competition!'
Dane smiled now very brightly. 'I will have nothing come in competition with you,' said he. 'Except duty sometimes. And this is not duty. Fit up some of those untenanted rooms, and let them be homes for whoever needs them. And let all such guests be entirely free, and at home, and served each with his meals in his own apartment, except when you choose to ask them to your's. That would sometimes be and sometimes not be; but the sanctity of our own home must be preserved. Do you not think so?' he added gently.
'O if we may!You know much more about it than I do. But suppose somebody sick at heart, or mind-weary? You see I know about that,' said Hazel, her girlish face all wistful again. 'I thought the loneliness was often the chief thing.'
'Let them have drives, and flowers, and books; rest and leisure; the sight of you occasionally; and now and then an invitation to dinner.'
'That might do. I could see them when you are away. Olaf, I have been thinking how I can possibly invest all this money-power you have put in my hands.'
'Wych, it will flow away with the speed of mountain brooks; and in as many and as inevitable channels.'
'But I want to know where it goes. And I have been studying the question out. I want to send some of it everywhere, and take up bonds all over the world!'
'That greed will make you at last learn economy!' said Dane smiling.