“No,” he cried fiercely. “Of course I haven't planned on any such thing. I don't know how rich she is. I don't care. I wish she was as poor as--as I am. I want HER, that's all. And she wants me. We don't either of us care about money. I wouldn't take a cent of your money, Mr. Fosdick. But I--I want Madeline and--and--I shall have her.” “In spite of her parents, eh?” “Yes. . . . I'm sorry to speak so, Mr. Fosdick, but it is true. We--we love each other. We--we've agreed to wait for each other, no matter--no matter if it is years and years. And as for the money and all that, if you disinherit her, or--or whatever it is they do--we don't care. I--I hope you will. I--she--” Captain Zelotes' voice broke in upon the impassioned outburst. “Steady, Al; steady, son,” he cautioned quietly. “I cal'late you've said enough. I don't think any more's necessary. You'd better go back to your desk now.” “But, Grandfather, I want him to understand--” “I guess likely he does. I should say you'd made it real plain. Go now, Al.” Albert turned, but, with a shaking hand upon the doorknob, turned back again. “I'm--I--I'm sorry, Mr. Fosdick,” he faltered. “I--I didn't mean to say anything to hurt your feelings. But--but, you see, Madeline--she and I--we--” He could not go on. Fosdick's nod and answer were not unkindly. “All right, Speranza,” he said, “I'm not offended. Hope I wasn't too blunt, myself. Good-day.” When the door had closed behind the young man he turned to Captain Lote. “Sorry if I offended you, Snow,” he observed. “I threw in that hint about marrying just to see what effect it would have, that's all.” “Um-hm. So I judged. Well, you saw, didn't you?” “I did. Say, Captain, except as a prospective son-in-law, and then only because I don't see him in that light--I rather like that grandson of yours. He's a fine, upstanding young chap.” The captain made no reply. He merely pulled at his beard. However, he did not look displeased. “He's a handsome specimen, isn't he?” went on Fosdick. “No wonder Madeline fell for his looks. Those and the poetry together are a combination hard to resist--at her age. And he's a gentleman. He handled himself mighty well while I was stringing him just now.” The beard tugging continued. “Um-hm,” observed Captain Zelotes dryly; “he does pretty well for a--South Harniss gentleman. But we're kind of wastin' time, ain't we, Mr. Fosdick? In spite of his looks and his manners and all the rest, now that you've seen him you still object to that engagement, I take it.” “Why, yes, I do. The boy is all right, I'm sure, but--” “Sartin, I understand. I feel the same way about your girl. She's all right, I'm sure, but--” “We're agreed on everything, includin' the 'but.' And the 'but' is that New York is one place and South Harniss is another.” “Exactly.”