"Not one word against her," he went on anxiously. "I know your first impulses are never friendly."
Mrs. Parkes nodded her head sagaciously.
"If—if she inherits all her father's money—you might do worse."
"No—no, mother," replied her son, shrugging his shoulders. "You're mistaken. I love her for herself—not for her money. Besides, she may not get the money after all. Mr. Ricaby, her lawyer, telephoned last night that there is a new move now against her. You see her father made a will leaving her all his money. Her Uncle James is contesting the will and the estate is tied up and she can't get any of it. She hasn't money enough even to get good lawyers. I think Ricaby's an old fluff. It's a shame the way her relations are trying to do her out of it. How I do hate relations!"
"How can they deprive her of her property if it's hers?" inquired Mrs. Parkes incredulously.
"I don't know," said Harry, scratching his head. "They're doing it, that's all. Last night after talking to her lawyer over the 'phone she broke down and burst into tears. Said she was all alone in the world—had no one to protect her—and I—mother—human nature couldn't stand it. I—offered to protect her——"
Mrs. Parkes sighed.
"Your father would have done the same," she said.
"Kindly refrain from associating my father's name with this matter," he cried impatiently.
Mrs. Parkes seemed lost in thought. Her eyes filled with tears.