_Dad._ Make your wager with me--I'll give you a stake to play for! A
stake that will make the game worth while!

_Jack._ What stake, Dad?

_Dad._ A quarter of a million dollars! Your mother's property.

_Jessie._ Dad!

_Dad._ I mean what I say! As God is my witness, I'll stand by what I
say! You go out of here to-night with your hobo clothes and you
shift for yourself for six months. If I find out that you've told a
soul whose son you are, or that you've used my name or your own name
to get a cent of money or a job, or even so much as a ham sandwich;
or if you come home before the six months is up, or write to one of
us, or to any one else for help--as sure as I live, it will cost you
a quarter of a million dollars.

_Jessie._ Dad, that is wicked.

_Dad._ It will cost him a quarter of a million dollars! I'll take
the money the same day and turn it over to the Home for Cats! Do you
get that, young man?

_Jack._ Yes, I get it, and it's a bargain!

_Dad._ Very well, sir. Now good luck to you!

_Jack._ Good-bye, Bob. Good-bye, Jessie.