"That is true. Both stories are true. I am my father's principal heir, but your sister is my guardian. She has treated me in such a way that I left the house."
"Ran away, eh?"
"No, I gave her full notice of what I should do. I told her that if I were decently treated I would stay, but if she continued to insult me, and give the preference in all things to her own boy, Nicholas, I would go away."
"You haven't been such a fool as to go off and leave all your property in her hands?"
"I shall come in possession of it when I am twenty-one. Till then I will try to support myself."
"Come, boy, you're plucky. I'm glad you came, after all. I want to hear more about my sister's affairs. Come down stairs, and we'll talk."
Dick appeared suddenly to have forgotten his animosity. He became even friendly in his manner, as he gave our hero this invitation.
"Old woman," said he, addressing his wife, "can't you rake up something for this boy to eat? I dare say he is hungry."
"I don't think we've got anything more in the house."
"I'll go out directly and get something. Come down, boy, I want to ask you a few more questions."