“Very.  My, it’s hot!” he panted, as he again wiped his brow.  “I never felt the heat so much before.  It must be ninety in the shade.”

“Hardly that,” and Mrs. Hampton smiled.  “Come up on the verandah, Gabriel.  I think you will find it nice and cool there.”

Grimsby at once followed Mrs. Hampton out of the garden, and up the steps to the spacious verandah, where he sank at once into a comfortable chair.

“This is great!” he exclaimed.  “You are fortunate in having such a beautiful spot.”

“You are tired, Gabriel.  Just rest yourself.  I shall be back shortly.”

Grimsby smiled contentedly when Mrs. Hampton had gone, and looked curiously around.

“The Hamptons must be doing well,” he mused.  “House newly painted, farm in good condition, and garden the finest I have seen.  They must have a snug bank-account from all appearance.  And why shouldn’t they?  If there was a brood of kids to feed, such as I have, it would make a great difference.  Maybe they’ve made good with that coal mine.  Anyway, I guess I’ve struck this place about the right time.  People who have plenty should help them who haven’t much.  This is certainly restful after that long walk.  I wonder where John is.”

His meditation was interrupted by Mrs. Hampton’s return.  She carried a tray containing a glass of home-made wine, and a plate of frosted doughnuts.  Grimsby was all alert now, and smiling blandly.

“This is certainly good of you, madame,” he remarked as he took the glass, and one of the doughnuts.  “It’s not often I get treated this way, especially when I call on business.”

“What are you doing these days, Gabriel?” Mrs. Hampton asked as she placed the plate of doughnuts upon a flower-shelf near at hand, and seated herself upon the verandah steps.

Grimsby sipped the wine, and bit off a piece of his doughnut before replying.  Then he looked at his hostess in a quizzical manner.

“Don’t you know my business, madame?”

“I am afraid not, Gabriel, as you have been at so many different things during the last few years.  I hope you have settled down to something steady for the sake of your family, at least.”

“You need not worry at all about me now,” and Grimsby’s eyes twinkled.  He was thinking of the surprise he had in store for this woman, so he could take her words with good grace.  “But money isn’t everything, madame.  Just think of that poor girl who drowned herself last night at Benton’s wharf.  She had all the good things of life, and yet she was not happy.”

“What girl?” Mrs. Hampton asked.  “I haven’t heard about her.”

“No, I suppose not.  I only learned the news this morning.  Men are now dragging the river for her body.”

“It is certainly sad.  Who is she? and why did she drown herself?”

“She is the only daughter of Randall, the big lumber merchant.  Her father and mother wanted her to marry some young Lord, Donaster I think is his name.  But she objected, so when they insisted, she took the matter into her own hands and made an end to her young life.  So you see, madame, money isn’t everything, is it?”