That barrel contains the mineral from the
mine, which we hope will prove so valuable. It started from Canada over
three months ago, and only arrived here the other day. It seems that the
idiot who sent it addressed it by way of New York, and it was held by
some Jack-in-office belonging to the United States Customs. We have had
more diplomatic correspondence and trouble about that barrel than you
can imagine, and now it comes a day behind the fair, when it is really of
no use to anyone.'
Miss Longworth rose and went to the barrel. She picked out some of the
beautiful white specimens that were in it.
'Is this the mineral?' she asked.
Wentworth laughed.
'Imagine a person buying a mine at an exorbitant price, and not knowing
what it produces. Yes, that is the mineral.'
'This is not mica, of course?'
'No, it is not mica. That is the stuff used for the making of china.'
'It looks as if it would take a good polish. Will it, do you know?'
'I do not know. I could easily find out for you.'
'I wish you would, and get a piece of it polished, which I will use as a
paper-weight.'
'What are your orders for the rest of the barrel?'
'What did you intend doing with it?' said the young woman.
'Well, I was thinking the best plan would be to send some of it to each
of the pottery works in this country, and get their orders for more of
the stuff, if they want to use it.'
'I think that an extremely good idea. I understand from the cablegram
that Mr.
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