"I don't know--He made me promise I would let him come.

I think prospecting has a charm for miners--" She stopped as she saw Mrs.Farnam's smile, but it was some relief to note that George did not seem to remark her hesitation.
"Well," he said, "your statement's, so to speak, the climax! The only person who knows anything about the matter thinks you won't find the vein! The blamed proposition's ridiculous from the beginning." He got up and filled his pipe with an unsteady hand.

"I'm too mad to sit still.
Guess I'll walk round the orchard and take a smoke." Farnam presently went after him, and Mrs.Farnam put her hand on Agatha's arm.
"My dear, you have pluck, but you have chosen a hard road and given your friends a jar.

But we are your friends; don't forget that!" Agatha smiled gratefully, though she found it difficult.

"I didn't really choose.