“But there is another matter in which I want to ask your help, and this part of my letter is on no one’s authority but my own, for I have thought best not to worry my mother with the affair. Phillip has just written us that he has lost some money at cards, not a great deal, but a considerable sum to us ‘poor Virginians.’ Perhaps Mr. Corliss wrote you that our circumstances are considerably altered since my father’s death? We really have very little money now, although when our property here is sold we shall not be poverty stricken. We thought it a pity to spoil Phillip’s enjoyment of his first year at college by acquainting him with the real state of affairs, and so he doesn’t know how hard it is for us to find the money for his expenses. And we had rather he didn’t know yet. And so if there is any way of keeping him from playing cards for money, won’t you please try it? It is not that we are very strict here about such things; only that Phillip, though he does not know it, cannot afford to use his money that way. I am sure that you will find some manner of keeping him from it without letting him know I have written to you. I fear he would not forgive me if he knew. We have no right to ask you to give your time to looking after Phillip, and you must think us very selfish and exacting. But do please believe that, at least, we are not ungrateful. “Thanking you again on my mother’s behalf and on my own, “Sincerely yours, “MARGARET RYERSON.” When David came in a few minutes later he found John puffing hard at an empty pipe, his hands――one of them holding a letter――clasped behind his head and his countenance expressing great contentment. CHAPTER IX While they were preparing for bed that night John took David into his confidence, in a measure, and asked his advice. He made no mention of the letter. David’s views were not encouraging. “What you want to do,” he said, “is to retire into the extreme distance and rest upon your haunches. Every fellow has the inalienable right to get rid of his money as he bloody well pleases, and even a foster-mother has no business dictating, Johnnie. If I were Phil and you tried it with me I’d punch your old head for you.” “But Phil hasn’t the right to spend money he hasn’t got,” answered John. “And that’s what it amounts to. Of course, it’s mostly his family’s fault. They’ve no business letting him think that there’s plenty of money when there isn’t――――” “Different from most fellows’ families,” growled David. “Well, it’s my duty to interfere.” “It’s your duty to mind your own affairs. Look here, has Phil owned up to you that he’s been losing his tin?” “Not exactly. He acknowledges that he’s broke, but he hasn’t mentioned cards.”