"I have no doubt there are some who would at once institute inquiries. You probably know such people." Sally chuckled. "Letty Lambkin might. But what would it matter if they did?" "I should hate to think that I was responsible for making you talked about." "Then you won't take them, Fox? Not even if I get down on my knees?" Again there were tears in her eyes. Fox shook his head. "I can't," he said gently. "I can't take them on those terms." Sally sighed and smiled. "So I am repulsed, then. My gifts are spurned." Fox was very uncomfortable. "But, Sally--" he began. She brightened suddenly. "I know!" she cried. "I'll lease them to you for ninety-nine years. Isn't that what they do when they can't do anything else? And you'll have to pay--oh, ever so much rent." He laughed. "All right. I guess that'll be as long as I shall have use for them. But you'll have to charge me enough." "Oh, I'll charge you enough," she said nodding; "never fear. I'll consult Dick and take his advice. _Then_ perhaps you'll be satisfied." "I'll be satisfied," he replied. "I'm very grateful, Sally." "Nonsense! You're not. You're only complacent because you think you've had your own way, and I didn't mean that you should have it." She took her hands away at last. "Here's Mrs. Morton," she said gently. CHAPTER IX What Patty really thought about the provisions of her father's will is not recorded. Indeed, it is doubtful whether she had anything more nearly approaching consecutive thought on the subject than a vague resentment toward Sally and a querulous disposition to find fault with her. For, with the lapse of years, Patty was becoming less and less able to think rationally--to direct her thoughts--or to think consecutively on any subject. She had never been conspicuous for her ability in that direction. What she said was another matter. What business had Sally to benefit by her father's will? A poor relation whom she, Patty, had befriended, no more. It never occurred to her to blame her father any more than it occurred to her to tell the whole truth about that little matter of befriending. Patty thought that she told the truth. She meant to.