"Oh, I say, Floyd, don't turn a miserable hunks of a miser the first thing, when you have such a splendid fortune! I wouldn't grudge anything with all that money in my hand." "Some of it will go rapidly enough. I shall pay Gertrude and Marcia their first instalment, as I have Laura, and my mother must have something. Then, the house debts; do you know where the bills are?" With Mrs. Grandon's help they get the bills together, and there are some still to come in. "Of course the house is yours," says his mother in a sharp tone. "You may wish to marry again----" That is so far from Floyd's thoughts that he shakes his head impatiently and replies,-- "The thing to be considered is _who_ is to provide for the family. If the business cannot do it at present, I shall. But it will have to be done within _my_ income. My own habits are not extravagant----" "Well, I should say!" and Eugene laughs immoderately. "A man who travels round the world like a prince, who buys everything he chooses, joins exploring expeditions with lords and marquises, keeps a maid for his daughter,--you have not arrived at that dignity, mother mine?" "I do not think the maid for my daughter will cost more than one fast horse, Eugene." "O boys, do not quarrel!" entreats their mother. "I hope I shall never quarrel," says Floyd, in a steadfast, reassuring tone. "I could lay down my father's charge, he gives me that privilege if I find I cannot save the business without spending my private fortune. If you would rather have me withdraw----" "Oh, no! no!" cries his mother. She has felt for some time that they were steadily going to ruin under Eugene's _regime_, but he is her idol and she loves him with a curious pride that could deny him nothing; would not even blame him, and wishes him to be prosperous. "I really think you would have no right, Floyd." "Then if I must work, if I must give my time, interest, and money, I shall have to know how everything stands. I shall have to provide to the best of _my_ judgment. You _must_ all trust in me, and believe that I am acting for your welfare." There is no affirmative to this, and Floyd feels really hurt. Eugene sits rolling the corner of the rug under his foot with a kind of vicious force, and is sulkily silent. "Your father expected, Floyd----" and Mrs. Grandon buries her face in her hands, giving way to tears. "My dear mother, I shall do everything my father desired, if it is in my power. Eugene," suddenly, "how does Mr. Wilmarth propose to meet this note?" "Don't worry about the note. You must admit that he knows more about the business than you." "Very well," Floyd returns, with ominous calmness. "I will pay up the house bills to-morrow, and there will be no change until after Laura's marriage. Let us remember that our interests are identical, that one cannot suffer without the other. Good night."