"Only since my father died."
"Melindy was sly. Like as not she never told your father she had a son."
"She said he knew it; but I never heard of Abel till a few days ago."
"It's likely she didn't tell him. Of course she wouldn't own it up to you."
"Do you live far away, Mr. Crane?"
"I live in the town of Gladwin, most sixty miles from here. I'm fifty years old, but I was never so far away from home before. I shouldn't have come now, only I've been unlucky. My shop burned down last week, and there warn't no insurance on it. Thinks I, Melindy is rich, and now is just the time when I need help. Don't you think she ought to help me?"
"Yes."
"I'm her only brother, and there's only two of us anyway. I've got a wife and two children at home, and they'll be pinched if I don't get help somewhere. Many's the time I've helped Melindy and Abel."
"Then you certainly have a claim upon Mrs. Lane."
They turned into the yard, and Gerald was about ushering his new acquaintance into the house, when Abel appeared at the door.