"And why are you so opposed to me?"
"I do not like your ways. Isn't that enough? As for Uncle Mark's money, I trust he will live a long time to enjoy it himself."
"Uncle Mark can live but a short while longer. Anybody can see that. He is exceedingly feeble."
"You seem to wish his death," replied Gertrude sharply.
"I? No, indeed; I hope he does live. Haven't I done what I could for him—giving him wines and the like? And he has the best of doctors—on my recommendation."
"I don't think the wine you gave him is doing any good. He seems to become weaker after it, instead of stronger."
"Bosh! If he hadn't the wine, he would collapse utterly."
At this the girl merely shrugged her shoulders.
This was not the first time that Homer Bulson and herself had quarreled over the care their uncle should have. To the girl the retired merchant seemed to grow unexpectedly weak in spite of all she could do. The doctor, too, was baffled, and said he had never come across such a strange case before.
"If you won't marry me, you shall not turn Uncle Mark against me," went on Bulson sternly. "If you try it, you will repent it as long as you live."