“You wouldn’t fight with a full-grown man, Andy?” asked his mother, in alarm.
“Oh, no!” answered Andy, smiling. “I don’t think it will come to that. But I must go out to your uncle’s help. Between us both, we will see if we can’t circumvent that grasping old Brackett and his wife and children.”
“I don’t see what a boy like you can do, Andy.”
“At any rate, I can try, mother. This money will pay my expenses out to Cato. When I get there I can form my plans.”
“I don’t see how I can spare you, Andy.”
“Remember, mother, I am going in your behalf. Uncle Simon’s money, which may amount to ten thousand dollars, may otherwise be taken from us.”
“If you can induce Uncle Simon to come here and end his days with us, I will try to make him comfortable.”
“A good idea, mother. I’ll see if I can’t bring him.”
“When do you want to start, Andy?”
“Not till after our good friend Joshua Starr has come for his money. I want to be here then, just to see how disappointed and mortified he will look when he sees the receipt with his signature attached.”