"Cal is going into a decline on her account," said Knox. "I know it by seeing him eat waffles. She refused Cal one day, and he came home and eat all the cold meat in the house."
"Mr. Salter," the hostess said, raising her voice, "you have a beautiful woman for a landlady. Is she well?"
"Very melancholy," said Duff Salter. "Why don't you visit her?"
"Really," said the hostess, "there is so much feeling against Agnes that, considering Papa Van de Lear's position in Kensington, I have been afraid. Agnes is quite too clever for me!"
"I hope she will be," said Duff Salter, relapsing to his coffee.
"He didn't hear what you said, Lot," exclaimed Calvin. "The old man has to guess at what we halloo at him."
"Have you appraised the estate of the late William Zane?" asked the minister, with his bold pulpit voice, which Salter could hear easily.
"Yes," replied the deaf guest. "It comes out strong. It is worth, clear of everything and not including doubtful credits, one hundred and eighty thousand dollars."
"That is the largest estate in Kensington," exclaimed the clergyman.
"I shall release it all within one week to Miss Agnes," said Duff Salter. "You are too old, Mr. Van de Lear, to manage it. I have finished my work as co-executor with you. The third executor is Miss Wilt. With the estate in her hands she will change the tone of public opinion in Kensington, perhaps, and the fugitive heir must return or receive no money from the woman he has injured!"