"I shall buy a fine home, with the church not half a mile away. You can make the church your second home, as you did in Collingwood," read Kathleen.
Samuel Quirk marched relentlessly into the room, his face showing the most determined incredulity it could assume.
"Let me see the letter," he said, calmly taking it from Kathleen.
"Could Denis write like this?" he asked.
"And who better?" cried Mrs. Quirk. "Wasn't he the smartest boy at school? Do you remember the day he won all those prizes?"
A smile of pride overspread the old man's face for one moment, then he remorselessly subdued it.
"I am thinking it is some scamp that has heard how soft you are," he remarked, as he read the letter. "Hem! I wonder how much money that will be? And when will he be here?"
As if in answer to his question, the sound of wheels was heard on the avenue. Mrs. Quirk flew to the window, while the old man followed more sedately.
"It is himself!" cried Mrs. Quirk. "Let me be the first to bid him welcome."
She almost ran to the front door in her excitement, to find the strong arms of a man around her.