"I know that, and he's a gentleman, too," said Mr. Crane, with a kindly glance at Gerald. "If he had money I am sure he would help me." "Yes, Mr. Crane; I would," said Gerald. "We won't discuss that matter now, Alonzo. As you are here, you can stay for the balance of the day." "I shall have to stay till to-morrow, as there is no train from Portville till then. I hope you won't forget the help I gave you and Abel when you were first left a widder." "It isn't very becoming to twit me with any little favors I may have accepted from you in the past," said Mrs. Lane. "If you want me to receive you in a friendly way, you must behave and talk differently." As Mr. Crane went into the house, following his not over-cordial relative, Gerald walked away. He felt that he had no place in the family conclave, and was only sorry that it was not likely to prove very satisfactory to his new acquaintance. He walked away, and, having nothing else to occupy his time, went to the lake and got into his rowboat. He rowed about lazily for half an hour when he heard a voice from the bank. Looking up, he saw Alonzo Crane standing on the blink of the pond. "Hello, Gerald!" he called out, "won't you give me a ride in your boat?" "Certainly, Mr. Crane," and he rowed up to a little pier near where his new acquaintance was standing. Alonzo Crane stepped into the boat and took a seat near the stern. "This is a nice dory of yours," he said. "I always liked a rowboat, but I've been too busy in my business to use one. I don't think I've been in a boat for five years. Did my sister give it to you?" "No," answered Gerald, hastily; "it was a gift from my father." "I suppose, from what Melindy says, he left you most of his property?" "She doesn't say that to me. She says it is all hers, and that I am entirely dependent upon her." "Whew! Well, that beats all. Wasn't your father friendly to you?" "I always found him the best of fathers, and that makes me wonder at his leaving me dependent upon Mrs. Lane." Alonzo Crane looked thoughtful. "You don't suspect nothing?" he said, interrogatively. "What should I suspect?" asked Gerald. "Well," said Alonzo, slowly, "Melindy always was tricky. She was always set on gettin' money, and I don't think she'd be over scrupulous. There might be such a thing as forgin' a will, though I don't know as I ought to say that considerin' that Melindy is my sister." "Thank you for suggesting it, at any rate, Mr. Crane. The time may come when I shall look into the matter. At present I am only a boy——" "And a boy ain't no match for a woman like Melindy. Oh, she's cunning! What do you think she said to get rid of lendin' me any money?" "I can't guess." "She said that she must provide for you." Gerald smiled, bitterly. "Because it would serve her purpose," he responded. "She has given Abel my place in the house. She has taken from me the large room I have for years occupied—given it to Abel—and put me in a small hall bedroom adjoining."