And you've been planning this! HARRY EGERTON. I had hoped, my father, That things would so arrange themselves that I-- That you would make me manager of the mill. MRS. EGERTON. Donald, it's your nobler self you hear. EGERTON. (_Looks at him a long time_) What a fool---- (_Turns away_) what a fool I've been! (_Walks about_) VOICES OF GEORGE AND GLADYS. The mine! Father! (_They come running in_) The mine! A rumor that the mine's been found! EGERTON. Who is it? GEORGE EGERTON. I don't know. They're on the wire. (_Egerton goes out_) GEORGE EGERTON. All over town, they say. (_Brother and sister wait near the door, tense, listening_) MRS. EGERTON. (_With a sigh_) Everything! GLADYS EGERTON. (_Under her breath_) George, Think of the things we'll have! GEORGE EGERTON. Be still! MRS. EGERTON. (_Turns and looks at Harry, whose face shows the sadness he feels at his father's refusal_) Harry. Harry, are you well? HARRY EGERTON. Yes, mother. (_A pause_) Mother---- (_Distant cannon are heard_) GEORGE EGERTON. Hark! GLADYS EGERTON. (_Starting back through the house_) The mine! the mine! (_The servants appear_) Father has found the mine! (_Further booming is heard_) GEORGE EGERTON. There go the guns! They're celebrating, father! (_He starts for the stairs and goes bounding up three steps at a time_) GLADYS EGERTON. (_Calling after him_) We'll have them back and announce it! We'll have them back! HARRY EGERTON. Mother, I've found the mine. GLADYS EGERTON. (_Whirling round on her toe_) Now, now you see! HARRY EGERTON. This morning on the mountains. MRS. EGERTON. Can it be! GLADYS EGERTON. (_Comes running forward_) I'll have my car now, won't I, daddy, daddy? (_She disappears into the room, forward left_) MRS. EGERTON. (_Strangely_) I knew it! O I knew that He would come! (_Turns upon her son a look of awe_) Harry! Harry! HARRY EGERTON. Father must do what's right. MRS. EGERTON. You'll build a mill. HARRY EGERTON. The ground is white with snow. (_Egerton appears in the doorway and stands looking at his son_) GLADYS EGERTON. (_Clinging to his hand_) What is it, papa? What's the matter, daddy? GEORGE EGERTON. (_Appearing upon the stairs_) They've run the flag up on the Court House, father! EGERTON. That's what it means! HARRY EGERTON. Father, I'll buy the mill. EGERTON. That's what it means! GLADYS EGERTON. What, daddy? EGERTON. You'll hold my men! HARRY EGERTON. I'll mortgage the mine and pay you, father. GLADYS EGERTON. Oh! EGERTON. And if I don't you'll back the men, eh? GLADYS EGERTON. Oh!