"I suppose you meant it for kindness, but my father does not allow any one to interfere with that place. Even if it rained in, I think he would rather give his own orders." "Probably," answered the guest, dryly, while Cleena deposited a dish of steaming waffles upon the table with such vigor as to set them all bouncing. "Sure, mistress, you'll be takin' a few of these, why not. I never turned me finer, an' that honey's the last of the lot, three times strained, too, an' you please." "Waffles, Cleena? Did thee take some up to the master? I am sure he would enjoy them." "Indeed, I did that. Would I forget? So eat, to please Cleena, and to be strong for what comes." Even Mrs. Kaye's indifference was not proof against the tempting delicacy, and doubtless the food did give her strength the better to go through a trying interview. For immediately breakfast was over, she rose, and, inviting the visitor into the old parlor, bade her children join them. "What our cousin Archibald has to say concerns us all. I leave it to him to tell the whole story," and she sat down with Amy snuggled beside her, while Hallam stood upon his crutches at her back. Somehow, Mr. Wingate found it a little difficult to begin, and after several attempts he put the plain question abruptly:-- "When can you leave, Salome?" She caught her breath, and Amy felt the arm about her waist grow rigid, but she answered by another question:-- "Must thee really turn us out, Archibald?" The plain, affectionate "thee" touched him, yet for that reason he settled himself all the more firmly in his decision. "What has to be done would better be done at once. It is a long time, Salome, since I have had any recompense for the use of this--my property--" "Your property?" cried Hallam. "Yes, mine. Mine it should have been by lawful inheritance, save for a rank injustice and favoritism. Mine it is now, by right of actual purchase, the purchase of my own! Your mother seems to desire that you should at last learn the whole truth, and I assure you that I have advanced more than twice the money required to buy this place, even at an inflated market value. So, lad, don't get angry or indignant. I make no statements that I cannot prove, nor can your parents deny that I notified them to vacate these premises more than two years ago." "Mother, is that so?" "Yes, Hallam." "Why didn't we go, then?" "Our cousin had a heart and did not force us." "Why do you now, sir?" "Because I'm tired of waiting. The case grows worse each day. I'm sick of throwing good money after bad, while, all the time, such folly as is yonder goes on," pointing toward the distant studio. "One man is as good to labor as another. Cuthbert Kaye has had money all his life; _my_ money, of which I was defrauded--" "Archibald! Beg pardon, but that is not so."