were a pair of--"

"Uncle, Uncle!" warned Phil. "Please don't say anything against
my parents. I won't stand it. Don't forget that my mother was
your own sister, too."

"I'm not likely to forget it, after she's bundled such a baggage
as you into my care. You're turning out a worthless, good-for-
nothing loaf--"

"You haven't said whether or not I might go to the circus,
Uncle," reminded Phil.

"Circus? No! I'll have none of my money spent on any such
worthless--"

"But I didn't ask you to spend your money, even though you have
plenty of it. I said I would earn the money--"

"You'll have a chance to earn it, and right quick at that. No,
you won't go to any circus so long as you're living under my
roof."

"Very well, Uncle, I shall do as you wish, of course," answered
Phil, hiding his disappointment as well as he could. The lad
shifted his bundle of books to the other hand and started slowly
for the house.

Abner Adams hobbled about until he faced the lad again, an angry
gleam lighting up his squinting eyes.