be proud, it was my Puritan and English ancestry. As the blood flew to
my youthful face in instinctive protest and indignation, my appearance
must have been a sufficient answer to my interrogator; for I remember
that he, at once springing to his feet, offered me his hand, making
profuse apologies and begging a thousand pardons.

I somewhat stammeringly explained that it was of no consequence, and
proceeded to name the families in my ancestral line, adding the remark
that these families, both those on my father's side and those on my
mother's side, were pretty well known, and that they were the genuine
English and Puritan stock.

"They are indeed, sir," said Mr. Allen, "and I congratulate you. I know
the value of a good lineage, and I feel safe in talking freely with a
gentleman of your standing in regard to this disagreeable business."

At about this stage in the proceedings I felt an obscure twinge. My
conscience was uneasy; for I found myself taking sides with Mr. Allen in
favor of family pride and against "those people," as he had termed
persons of doubtful color. I had instinctively defended myself against
the suggestion that I might possibly be one of them. If this skilful
lawyer had intended, as possibly he did, to disarm me wholly at the
outset, so that I could make no attack upon the position which he
intended to assume, he could not have done it more effectually.

"The truth is," said Mr. Allen cheerfully, "we regard Mr. Brown as about
the best and most intelligent young man that has ever taught in our
school. He is manly, and conscientious to a fault. Aside from his
family, the only trouble I find with him is that he is not politic. It
was very honorable in him to state to us his parentage as he did. If he