"SOCRATES SMITH, A. M."

"That is more reasonable," said Mr. Roscoe, to himself, as he laid
down the letter. "Three hundred dollars I consider a fair price. At
any rate, I do not propose to pay any more for Hector. I suppose the
table is plain enough, but I don't believe in pampering the
appetites of boys. If he were the master of Roscoe Hall, as he
thinks he is, there might be some propriety in it; but upon that
head I shall soon undeceive him. I will let him understand that I am
the proprietor of the estate, and that he is only a dependent on my
bounty. I wonder how he will take it. I dare say he will make a
fuss, but he shall soon be made to understand that it is of no use.
Now to answer these letters."

Mr. Roscoe sat down in a luxurious armchair, and, drawing pen and
paper toward him, wrote first to Dr. Radix. I subjoin the letter, as
it throws some light upon the character of the writer:

"ROSCOE HALL, Sept. 10th. DR. DIONYSIUS RADIX.

"My DEAR SIR:-I am in receipt of your letter of the 8th instant,
answering my inquiries in regard to your school. Let me say at once
that I find your terms too high. Five hundred dollars a year for
forty weeks' board and schooling seems to me an exorbitant price to
ask. Really, at this rate, education will soon become a luxury open
only to the wealthy.

"You are probably under a misapprehension in reference to my young
ward. Nephew he is not, in a strict sense of the term. He was
adopted--not legally, but practically--by my brother, when he was