"That is what I thought," said the son. "I wondered where the estate was which had belonged to this James Richards, who was not our ancestor, and, looking further, I found it described with considerable particlarity. It was called Stillwater, and was said to be located on the waters of the Hyco, in Williams County."
"But the Hyco is not in Williams County," said his listener.
"No, mother, but it was then," he replied. "You know that county has been many times subdivided."
"Yes, I had forgotten that," she said. "But what then?"
"It went on," contined Hesden, "to say that he held this land by virtue of a grant from the State which was recorded in Registry of Deeds in Williams County, in Book A, page 391."
"It is an easy matter to find where it was, then, I suppose," said the mother.
"I have already done that," he replied, "and that is the strange and unpleasant part of what I had to tell you."
"I do hope," she said, smiling, "that you have not made us out cousins of any low-down family."
"As to that I cannot tell, mother; but I am afraid I have found something discreditable in our own family history."
"Oh, I hope not, Hesden," she said, plaintively. "It is so unpleasant to look back upon one's ancestors and not feel that they were strictly honorable. Don't tell me, please. I had rather not hear it."