"Yes; he referred to it as a settled thing."
"He left all his property to Mrs. Lane, and I am dependent upon her."
"That is strange. But surely she, knowing your father's intentions—"
"She has decided that I am to enter the employment of Mr. Tubbs, the grocer," said Gerald, bitterly.
"But this is positively shameful!" said the old gentleman, warmly.
"I say so, too, squire," put in Alonzo. "Melindy's my sister, but that don't hinder me from sayin' that she is treatin' Gerald meanly. She has put her own boy in his place, though he's no kith nor kin of the man from whom her money comes."
"Is there another boy, then? I have never seen him."
"She didn't send for him till after Mr. Lane's death. Like as not he never knew that she had a son. Melindy's sly, and always was."
"I am not sure that I ever spoke to Mrs. Lane, though her husband was one of my few friends," said John Nugent. "As you yourself criticise her, I will not hesitate to condemn her conduct. What I cannot understand is the manner in which Gerald has been left out of the will."
"It does look cur'ous, squire."