“Only a day or two ago. I was going around to see you to-morrow, about it, if you hadn’t come this afternoon. I’ve about made up my mind to go. My business is all up there now. There’s no sense living in Virginia two-thirds of the time and running a house down here.” “How about Rosamund’s wedding?” the Colonel asked. “Have it up there. You can have a wedding in Virginia just as well as you can in San Francisco. I can rent a house--a first-rate house, furnished and all ready, and give her just as good a send-off as any girl in California. That’s what I calculate to do. It’ll require money up there or down here, but that’s an expense that’s got to be.” “June says you’ve had an offer for this house. Who made it, and what’s he offered?” Allen leaned forward to knock off the ash of his cigar on the tray beside him. “That’s what I wanted to see you about,” he said slowly. “Yes, I’ve had an offer. It’s from a man named Spencer from Sacramento. Just come down here to settle. He’s got a big family, and wants a good sized house and garden for the kids to play in. Fashionable locality doesn’t count for much with him. He’s offered twenty-five thousand down for the place as it stands, furniture and all.” There was a slight pause and the speaker added: “It’s what decided me to go to Virginia, get rid of this--and--and--get some ready money. I’m pretty close to the ragged edge, Jim.” “I don’t see how it’s going to benefit you,” said the Colonel. “My mortgage and the interest for two years back, paid in full, doesn’t leave you much more than your fares to Virginia.” Allen got up, walked a few steps away, then came back and stood by the Colonel’s chair. His face was deeply flushed, but it had lost its embarrassed air. He looked resolute and determined. “Jim,” he said doggedly, “I’ve got to have that money.” “Beau Allen,” said the Colonel in the same tone, “by what right do you dare to say that to me?” For a silent moment they eyed each other, then the elder man went on: “Twenty-five years ago you stole my sweetheart. Four years ago you tried to steal my land and I gave it to you, because you had a wife and two helpless children; and now you’re trying to steal my house.” “I’ve got the same right as I had before,” said the other, “I’ve still got two helpless children.” “Am I to be robbed to provide for your children?” “You’re using pretty strong words, Jim, but you’ve had provocation. You’ve met bad usage at my hands and you’ve given back good. Give it back once more, for the last time. Give it back for the sake of my two girls. They’re as helpless now as they ever were, and God knows I’m as unable to help them.” “Why should I keep on providing for your children? You’re their father, younger than I, and as able-bodied. Four years ago I put you on your feet when I gave you the Parrish Tract. You’ve had your chances, the best I could give you. I’m on the ragged edge too. I’m sixty years old and I’ve had to apply for a position.”