"Let them alone! Shut the box!" cried the old man, in agitation and alarm.
"How many may I take, uncle?" asked Ralph.
"None, you thief!"
"Don't call me hard names, dear Uncle Thomas," said the young man, mockingly. "Don't forget that I am your nephew."
"I don't know whether you are or not. Shut up the box, I say."
"You are an old man. You can't live long. This money won't do you any good. You won't live to enjoy it. Give me half." And as he spoke he deposited in his pocket the handful of coins he had already taken.
This was too much for the old man. With an effort he rose to his feet and staggered to where the intruder was kneeling.
"Go away; go away at once!" he cried out, in agitation. "You are a thief. I don't believe you are a Nixon at all."
He tried to seize Ralph by the shoulder, but only fell over him.
The young man laughed, and put another handful of coins into his pocket.