"Ma'am, I have lived long enough to value honesty above gratitude.
I make this offer to please myself. The point is, Do I understand
that you accept?"

"As for that," she answered deliberately--and Sam leaned forward
again--"as for that, I am a married woman, and have learnt to submit
to my husband's judgment. To be sure I have acquired some skill in
guessing at it." She smiled again. "My husband is no ordinary man
to jump at this offer. He has three sons, besides his women folk--"

"Whom he neglects," put in Matthew.

"His dearest ambition is to see each of these three an accredited
servant of Christ. He desires learning for them, and the priest's
habit, and the living God in their hearts. It will appear strange to
you that he should rate these above wealth and a castle in Ireland
and a seat in Parliament; but in fact he would. I know him. Think
what you will of his ambition, it has this much of sincerity, that he
is willing to pinch and starve for it. This, too, I have proved."

"You might add, mother," interposed Sam, "that he would like all
these the better with a little success to season them."

"No, I will add that he has perhaps enough respect for me to listen
to my entreaties and allow Charles to choose for himself. And this
for the moment, sir, is all I can promise, though I thank you from
the bottom of my heart."

"Tut, woman!" snapped the apothecary. "Close with the offer and