"But still he goes on with his sissy paint daubing!" says Uncle. "They're not daubs!" flashes back Edith. "Brooks has been doing some perfectly splendid work. Everyone says so." "Humph!" says Uncle Jeff. "That's what your silly friends tell you. But it doesn't matter. I won't have him doing it in my house. You thought, just because I was crippled and couldn't get around or out of these confounded four rooms, that you could fool me. But you can't, you see. And now I'm going to give you and Brooks your choice,--either he stops painting, or out you both go. Now which will it be?" "Why, Sir," says Brooks, speakin' up prompt but pleasant, "if that is the way you feel about it, we shall go." "Eh?" says Uncle Jeff, squintin' hard at him. "Do you mean it? Want to leave all this for--for the one mean little room I found you in!" "Under your conditions, most certainly, Sir," says Brooks. "I think Edith feels as I do. Don't you, Edith?" "Ye-e-es, of course," says Mrs. Bladen. Then, turnin' on Uncle Jeff, "Only I think you are a mean, hard-hearted old man, even if you are my uncle! Oh, you don't know how often I've wanted to tell you so too,--always prying into this, asking questions about that, finding fault, forever cross and snappish and suspicious. A waspish, crabbed old wretch, that's what you are! I just hate you! So there!" Uncle Jeff winces a little at these last jabs; but he only turns to Brooks and asks quiet, "And I suppose those are your sentiments too?" "Edith is a little overwrought," says Brooks. "It's true enough that you're not quite an agreeable person to live with. Still, I hardly feel that I have treated you just right in this matter. I shouldn't have deceived you about the studio. When I found that I couldn't bear to give up my work and live like a loafer on your money, I should have told you so outright. I haven't liked it, Sir, all this dodging and twisting of the truth. I'm glad it's over. Would you prefer to have us go tonight or in the morning?" "Come now, that's not the point," says Uncle Jeff. "You hate me, too, don't you?" "No," says Brooks, "and I'm sure Edith doesn't either." "Yes I do, Brooks," breaks in Edith. Brooks shrugs his shoulders sort of hopeless. "In that case," says he, "we shall leave at once--now. I will send around for our traps later. You have been very generous, and I'm afraid I've shown myself up for an ungrateful ass, if not worse. Goodby, Sir." He stands there holdin' out his hand, with the old gent starin' hard at him and not movin'. Fin'lly Uncle Jeff breaks the spell.