for your rights, my girl," he said, turning to Betty. "If he don't treat
your mother well, give him back his kitchen chair and his three
stair-rods and pack him off."

"Henry," said Mr. Green, with dangerous calm, "go and fetch a policeman."

"I'm going," said Mr. Letts, hastily. "Good-by, Betty; good-by, mother.
I sha'n't be long. I'm only going as far as the post-office. And that
reminds me. I've been talking so much that I quite forget to tell you
that Betty and me were married yesterday morning."

He nodded pleasantly at the stupefied Mr. Green, and, turning to Mr.
Widden, gave him a friendly dig in the ribs with his finger.

"What's mine is Betty's," he said, in a clear voice, "and what's Betty's
is MINE! D'ye understand, step-father?"

He stepped over to Mrs. Green, and putting a strong arm around her raised
her to her feet. "And what's mine is mother's," he concluded, and,
helping her across the room, placed her in the best arm-chair.

[Illustration: "What's mine is mother's."]