"You must excuse me, Mrs. Lane, but that is my own private business."
"You are quite mistaken. You are my stepson, and you are under my guardianship."
"I suppose, then, you have charge of my property. Let me know how much it is."
Mrs. Lane winced.
"You have no property," she said, coldly, "except what money you may have in the savings bank."
"Then I am to understand that none of the property belonging to my father comes to me."
"You will receive a certain advantage from it. Your home is in this house, and the dinner you are eating is provided with your father's money."
"Yet you want me to pay you half the money I am to receive for work!"
"Yes; but if you are guided by my wishes, I shall lay it aside for you, to be given to you hereafter."
"I am not prepared to say that I shall be guided by your wishes."