Solomon interrupted her.

"Humph!" he grunted. "I cal'lated as much."

"You cal'lated it! For the land sakes--why?"

"Because you begun by sayin' you was a relation of mine. I've got a good
many relations floatin' around loose and there ain't nary one of 'em
ever come to see me unless 'twas to get money. If I give money to all my
relations that asked for it I'd be a dum sight poorer'n I be now."

Thankful was by this time thoroughly angry.

"Look here," she snapped. "If I'd come to you expectin' you to GIVE me
any money I'd be an idiot as well as a relation. Far's that last part
goes I ain't any prouder of it than you are."

This pointed remark had no more effect than the statement of
relationship. Mr. Cobb was quite unruffled.

"You came to see me," he said, "and you ain't come afore for twenty
year--you said so. Now, when you do come, you want money, you said that,
too."

"Well, what of it?"

"Nothin' of it, 'special. Only when a party comes to me and commences
by sayin' he or she's a relation I know what's comin' next. Relations!
Humph! My relations never done much for me."