hurt his feelings."

The boy stared at her in wonder. "Hurt his feelings!" he exclaimed. "HIS
feelings! Well, by Jove! Caro, you're a wonder! Did you expect me to
throw my arms around his neck? If he had had any feelings at all, if he
was the slightest part of a gentleman, do you suppose he would come here
and disgrace us as he is doing? Who invited him? Did we? I guess not!"

"But he is father's brother, and father asked him to come."

"No, he didn't. He asked him--heaven knows why--to look out for our
money affairs. That's bad enough; but he didn't ask him to LIVE with us.
He sha'n't! by gad, he sha'n't! YOU may be as sweet to him as you like,
but I'll make it my business to give him the cold shoulder every chance
I get. I'll freeze him out, that's what I'll do--freeze him out. Why,
Caro! be sensible. Think what his staying here means. Can we take him
about with us? Can our friends meet HIM as--as our uncle? He's got to be
made to go. Hasn't he now? Hasn't he?"

The girl was silent for a moment. Then she covered her face with her
hands. "Oh, yes!" she sobbed. "Oh, yes, he must! he MUST! WHY did father
do it?"



CHAPTER V


The Warren breakfast hour was nine o'clock. At a quarter to nine
Caroline, entering the library, found Stephen seated by the fire reading