Daniel Swartz looked about complacently, as if challenging those near him to prove that the lawyer's statements were untrue. "To-morrow she loses her school," he said to Jacob Kalb. Then he saw that the judge was speaking to Miss Miflin. "What is your name?" "Helen Miflin." "You are a school-teacher?" "I teach in the Spring Grove Schoolhouse." "What interest have you in this case?" The judge saw that the flush on Miss Miflin's cheek deepened, but he thought it was only a flush of embarrassment. "I am fond of these children, and I do not believe the appointment of Mr. Swartz as guardian is necessary or right." "Why?" "Because for years the families have not been friendly, and Mr. Wenner would never have chosen Mr. Swartz as the guardian of his children, and because the children do not like him." "Like me!" exclaimed Daniel Swartz to the lawyer. "What dumb talk! It makes nothing out if they like me or not." "You will have to be quiet," answered Mr. Weaver. "It makes a good deal of difference in the appointment of a guardian." "Sarah Wenner," said the judge. "Yes, sir," answered Sarah. "Why don't you want to live with your uncle, and have him look after your affairs?" "Because my mom said we should stay always together. It is not right that children have no home of their own. And my pop was for three years sick, and Ebert helped us, and we got good along. He worked for the half. And I can raise chickens. And the twins are always good for me, and Albert is always good for me, and Uncle Daniel, he knows I can get along. Albert is already by him, and he gave him candy till he was sick and I had to go to cure him. He don't know how to bring up children, and Aunt 'Lizie don't know. He--he is always after us. And he came for me in the night to go to Albert, and when I went back in the morning Jacob Kalb was living there already, and baking pies, and--" At thought of the morning, the tears came into Sarah's eyes, and her voice choked. "If he would only l-leave me be." "That will do," said the judge kindly. He thought that he had never seen the court-house clerks so quiet. "And you," he said to the twins, "aren't you willing to be good little girls, and do as Uncle Daniel wants you to?" The twins looked up at the judge, then round the room. They were frightened and puzzled. They thought this kindly gentleman was on their side, but he had made Sarah cry, and now he wanted them to obey Uncle Daniel. Then Louisa Ellen put out her hand and nudged Ellen Louisa. The eyes of the judge and the clerks followed theirs. Uncle Daniel was smiling at them graciously,--he who usually frowned so crossly. And as Uncle Daniel smiled, he put his hand into his pocket and drew out two shining dollars. To the court-room Uncle Daniel's purpose was evident. The court-room held its breath. Louisa Ellen's hand tightened on Ellen Louisa's.