"Hardly a third as much as I! It doesn't seem right. Papa, take half of
mine."

"That wouldn't balance the scales either," he said laughingly; "and
besides, Mr. Travilla has now some right to be consulted."

"Papa, I could never love him again, if he should object to my giving you
all but a few hundred thousands."

"He would not. He says he will never touch a cent of your property; it
must be settled entirely upon yourself, and subject to your control. And
that is quite right; for he, too, is wealthy."

"Papa, I don't think I deserve so much; I don't want the care of so much.
I do wish you would be so good as to take half for your own, and continue
to manage the other half for me as you think best."

"What you deserve is not the question just now. This is one of the talents
which God has given you, and I think you ought, at least for the present,
to keep the principal and decide for yourself what shall be done with the
interest. You are old enough now to do so, and I hope do not wish to shirk
the responsibility, since God, in His good providence, has laid it upon
you."

He spoke very gravely and Elsie's face reflected the expression of his.

"No, I do not wish it now, papa," she said, in a low, sweet voice. "I
will undertake it, asking Him for wisdom and grace to do it aright."

They were busy for the next hour or two over the papers.