The Prophet was her father's partner in business, Mr.Samuel Bennett Barmby.
'I feel sure now that they talked it over when the Prophet was taken into partnership.

I was thrown in as a "consideration."' 'But how could your father possibly think-- ?' 'It's hard to say what he _does_ think about me.

I'm afraid I shall have to have a talk with him.

If so, it will be a long talk, and a very serious talk.

But he isn't well just now, and I must put it off.' 'He isn't well ?' 'A touch of gout, he says.