"I've warned you about it, you know," said the old man, angrily. "Well, have you seen Penwynn?" "Yes." "And what has he got to say?" "Given the instructions." "To go back to London? Well, I'm glad of it; very glad of it." "Thank you," said Geoffrey, lighting his pipe. "No, old gentleman, I've got my first job, and now I'm going to work." "What, smoking?" "Yes, engine-fire smoking soon, I hope." "What, are you going to spend somebody's money over a mine?" "Yes." "Then it will be smoke. Whose money--a company's?" "Business is business, Mr Paul," said Geoffrey. "I can't tell you whose money is going to be spent, for I don't believe I know. But I'll tell you this much, I'm going to open out Wheal Carnac." "Wheal Carnac?" "Yes, and at once." "Then--but bah! it don't matter, you'll be paid. My hundred's gone, so its nothing to me." They sat smoking in silence, for Geoffrey returned such short answers that the old man was offended, and scarcely a word was said. After a time, Geoffrey took out a note-book and began to make entries and draw, without noticing how intently his companion was watching him, and this went on till Mrs Mullion came and announced that the young engineer's composite tea-dinner was ready, to which he went in without a word. "Nice company he's getting," said Uncle Paul, sourly. "Humph! he can be busy enough, now I want him. Here, hi! Trethick!" he shouted across the passage when he went in, "I'm going down to Rumsey's to-night. We're going to play whist. Come with me?" "No, thanks," said Geoffrey. "I've got other cards to play now." "Hang him and his independence! What a nuisance! And he plays such a good hand. I meant to have him for a partner. Well, never mind, if he's busy like that it will keep him from thinking about Madge. Hallo!" he exclaimed, as he heard the gate click, "that girl's off again. I wonder where she's going now?" He returned to his own tea, and before it was finished there was another click, when, on looking up curiously, it was to see Pengelly come limping up the path. "Humph! we shall have the house full of miners now, I suppose. Ah, well, thank goodness, it isn't my money that's going to be sunk." Pengelly was admitted, and his first act, on being left alone with Geoffrey, was to catch his hand, and hold it tightly between both of his. "Why, Pengelly man, what's the matter?" cried Geoffrey, wondering at his strange manner. "I've heard all, Mr Trethick, every word. I've heard all." "All? All what?" cried Geoffrey. "About those wretches--those blind, weak wretches--and my poor injured Bess." "Oh!" cried Geoffrey, "I'd forgotten all about it, man. Bah! that's nothing." "Nothing?" cried Pengelly, with the tears standing in his eyes, "nothing? Mr Trethick, sir, if you'd let me be your dog, I'd follow you to the world's end." "Oh, come, come, Pengelly! don't think any more of that. How is she, though?"