Laurie sat up astonished watching her: "Why, my dear girl!" he exclaimed, "Do you know what you're talking
about? Do you realize that it would take a mint of money to do all the
fool things that these silly reformers are always putting up to you? My
lawyer looks after all those matters. Of course I know nothing about
it--!"
"Well, you ought to know," said Lynn excitedly, "Does the money
belong to your lawyer? Isn't it yours to be responsible for? Well, then
if you are stealing some of it out of little Carmela and a lot of other
little children and their mothers and fathers oughtn't you to know? Is
your lawyer going to take the responsibility about it in the kingdom of
heaven I should like to know? Can he stand up in the judgment day and
exempt you by saying that he had to do the best he could for your
property because you required it of him? Excuse me for getting so
excited, but I love little Carmela. I went to see her a great deal last
winter when I was in New York taking my senior year at the University.
And I can't help telling you the truth about it. I don't suppose you'll
do anything about it, but at least you ought to know! And I'm not
your dear girl, either!"
Marilyn rose suddenly from her chair, and stood facing him with blazing
eyes and cheeks that were aflame. It was a revelation to the worldly
wise young man that a saint so sweet could blossom suddenly into a
beautiful and furious woman. It seemed unreal to find this wonderful,
unique, excitable young woman with ideas in such a quiet secluded spot
of the earth. Decidedly she had ideas.
"Excuse me," he said, and rose also, an almost deprecatory air upon
him, "I assure you I meant nothing out of the way, Miss Severn. I
certainly respect and honor you--And really, I had no idea of all this
about my property. I've never paid much heed to my property except to
spend the income of course. It wasn't required of me. I must look into
this matter. If I find it as you think--that is if there is no mistake,
I will see what I can do to remedy it. In any case we will look after
little Carmela. I'll settle some money on her mother, wouldn't that be
the best way? I can't think things are as bad as you say--"
"Will you really do something about it?" asked Lynn earnestly, "Will
you go up to New York and see for yourself? Will you go around in
every room of your buildings and get acquainted with those
people and find out just what the conditions are?"