Neither Alice nor Ruth were much elated with the prospect of Philip's renewal of his mining enterprise.
But Philip was exultant.

He wrote to Ruth as if his fortune were already made, and as if the clouds that lowered over the house of Bolton were already in the deep bosom of a coal mine buried.

Towards spring he went to Philadelphia with his plans all matured for a new campaign.

His enthusiasm was irresistible.
"Philip has come, Philip has come," cried the children, as if some great good had again come into the household; and the refrain even sang itself over in Ruth's heart as she went the weary hospital rounds.

Mr.Bolton felt more courage than he had had in months, at the sight of his manly face and the sound of his cheery voice.
Ruth's course was vindicated now, and it certainly did not become Philip, who had nothing to offer but a future chance against the visible result of her determination and industry, to open an argument with her.