"Remember, my dear, he is in all probability very wealthy, and we are his heirs. I am not so well off as people imagine, and it will be a great thing for us to have a fortune of a quarter or half a million drop in by and by."
"There's something in that, to be sure," the lady admitted. "But can't you induce him to wear better clothes?"
"I will suggest it very soon. We mustn't be too precipitate, for fear he should take offense. You know these rich uncles expect to be treated with a good deal of consideration."
"Do you think he will expect to live with us? I shall really give up if I have got to have such a looking old tramp as a permanent member of the family."
"But, Julia, if he is really very rich, it is important for us to keep him strictly in view. You know there will be plenty of designing persons, who will be laying snares to entrap him, and get possession of his money."
"How old is he? Is he likely to live long?"
"I think he must be about sixty-five."
"And he looks alarmingly healthy," said Mrs. Marlowe, with a sigh.
"His father died at sixty-seven."
Mrs. Marlowe brightened up. "That is encouraging," she said, hopefully.