And Nicholas laughed loudly at his witty quotation.

"Just as you prefer. Nick, then, I understand your object. But what
made you think I wanted to sell the violin?"

It was Nick's turn to be surprised.

"Ain't there goin' to be an auction of your father's things?" he
said.

"Yes; but the violin is mine, and I am not going to sell it."

"You'll have to," said Nick.

"What do you mean by that, Nicholas Holden?" said Philip quickly.

"Because you'll have to sell everything to pay your father's debt.
My father said so this very morning."

"I think I know my own business best," said Philip coldly. "I shall
keep the violin."

"Maybe it ain't for you to say," returned Nick, apparently not aware
of his insolence. "Come, now, I'll tell you what I'll do. My
father's got a bill against yours for a dollar and sixty-four cents.
I told father I had a use for the fiddle, and he says if you'll give
it to me, he'll call it square. There, what do you say to that?"

Nicholas leaned back in his chair and looked at Philip through his