'I can imagine that; in fact, I think no one could be a more undesirable acquaintance than a man who forgets to-day what he promised yesterday, especially if anything particular depends upon it. Now, why cannot you come to our house some evening and have a talk about the mine with my cousin or my father? My father could give you much valuable advice with reference to it, and I am anxious that my cousin should help to carry this project on to success. It is better to talk with them there than at their office, because they are both so busy during the day that I am afraid they might not be able to give the time necessary to its I discussion.' John Kenyon shook his head. 'I am afraid,' he said, 'that would do no good. I do not think your cousin cares to have anything to do with the mine.' 'How can you say that? Did he not discuss the matter with you on board ship?' 'Yes; we had some conversation about it there, but I imagine that--I really do not think he would care to go any farther with it.' 'Ah, I see,' said Edith Longworth. 'My cousin is the man who "forgot to-day what he said yesterday."' 'What am I to say, Miss Longworth? I do not want to say "Yes," and I cannot truthfully say "No."' 'You need say nothing. I know exactly how it has been. So he does not want to have anything to do with it. What reason did he give?' 'You will not say anything to him about the matter? I should be very sorry if he thought that I talked to anyone else of my conference with him.' 'Oh, certainly not; I will say nothing to him at all.' 'He gave no particular reason; he simply seemed to have changed his mind. But I must say this: he did not appear to be very enthusiastic when I discussed it with him on board ship.' 'Well, you see, Mr. Kenyon, it rests with me now to maintain the honour of the Longworth family. Do you want to make all the profit there is to be made in the mica-mine--that is, yourself and your friend Mr. Wentworth?' 'How do you mean--"all the profit"?' 'Well, I mean--would you share the profit with anyone?' 'Certainly, if that person could help us to form the company.' 'Very well; it was on that basis you were going to take in my cousin as a partner, was it not?' 'Yes.' 'Then I should like to share in the profits of the mine if he does not take an interest in it. If you will let me pay the preliminary expenses of forming this company, and if you will then give me a share of what you make, I shall be glad to furnish the money you need at the outset.' John Kenyon looked at Miss Longworth with a smile. 'You are very ingenious, Miss Longworth, but I can see, in spite of your way of putting it, that what you propose is merely a form of charity. Suppose we did not succeed in forming our company, how could we repay you the money?'