it flashed into my mind to wonder what your great-grandfather, the
Governor, would think if he could have looked down and seen me. For as
you know, my dear, though I doubt if you altogether realize it at all
times, since our young people of to-day, I regret to have to say
it--though of course I do except you from this criticism--"

By gentle interruption and deft transition, Sharlee once more wafted the
conversation back to the subject in hand.

"And when you went so far as to tell him this, how did he take it?"

"He took it admirably. He told me that I need feel no concern about the
matter; that while out of funds for the moment, doubtless he would be in
funds again shortly. His manner was dignified, calm, unabashed--"

"But it didn't blossom, as we might say, in money?"

"As to that--no. What are you to do, Sharlee? I feel sure the man is not
dishonest,--in fact he has a singularly honest face, transparently
so,--but he is only somehow queer. He appears an engrossed,
absent-minded young man--what is the word I want?--an eccentric. That is
what he is, an engrossed young eccentric."

Sharlee leaned against the bureau and looked at her aunt thoughtfully.
"Do you gather, Aunt Jennie, that he's a gentleman?"

Mrs. Paynter threw out her hands helplessly. "What does the term mean
nowadays? The race of gentlemen, as the class existed in my day, seems
to be disappearing from the face of the earth. We see occasional
survivals of the old order, like Gardiner West or the young Byrd men,