"I thank you both; I have solved my difficulty with your help. You have spoken frankly to me, and shown me this matter in a different light; I may speak as frankly to you, as to Mr. Googe's closest friends. The truth is, neither my daughter nor myself can appropriate this money to ourselves--we both feel that it does not belong to us, _in the circumstances_. I should like you both to tell Mr. Googe for me, that out of the funds accruing to the estate from his grandfather's money, I will take for my share the hundred thousand dollars I repaid to the Quarries Company thirteen years ago--you know what I mean--and the interest on the same for those six years. Mr. Googe will understand that this is done in settlement of a mere business account--and he will understand it as between man and man. I think it will satisfy him. "I have determined since talking with you, although the scheme has been long in my mind and I have spoken to Mr. Emlie about it, to apply the remainder of the estate for the benefit of the quarrymen, the stone-cutters, their families and, incidentally, the city of Flamsted. My plans are, of course, indefinite; I cannot give them in detail, not having had time to think them out; but I may say that this house will be eventually a home for men disabled in the quarries or sheds. The plan will develop further in the executing of it. You, Father Honore, you and Mr. Buzzby, Mr. Googe, and Mr. Emlie will be constituted a Board of Overseers--I know that in your hands the work will be advanced, and, I hope, prospered to the benefit of this generation and succeeding ones." Octavius Buzzby grasped his hand. "Mr. Van Ostend, I wish old Judge Champney was living to hear this! He'd approve, Mr. Van Ostend, he'd approve of it all--and Mr. Louis too." "Thank you, Mr. Buzzby, for these words; they do me good. And now," he said, turning to Father Honore, "I want very much to see Mr. Googe--now that this business is settled. I have wanted to see him many times during these last six years, but I felt--I feared he might consider my visiting him an intrusion--" "Not at all--not at all; this simply shows me that you don't as yet know the real Mr. Googe. He will be glad to see you at any time." "I think I'd like to see him in the shed." "No reason in the world why you shouldn't; he is one of the most accessible men at all times and seasons." "Supposing, then, you ride up with me in the automobile?" "Certainly I will; shall we go up this forenoon?" "Yes, I should like to go now. Mr. Buzzby, I shall be back this afternoon for a talk with you. I want to make some definite arrangement for Ann and Hannah." "I'll be here." The two walked together to the driveway, and shortly the mellow note of the great Panhard's horn sounded, as the automobile rounded the curve of The Bow and sped away to the north shore highway and the sheds. * * * * *