"You will spoil him by such flattery."
"I am not afraid of it."
"Very well. I will humor your prejudices. Mark may have more judgment than I give him credit for."
This he said because he saw that it was necessary under the circumstances to propitiate Mark. The telegraph boy understood his uncle's object very well and was amused, but remained outwardly grave.
"Thank you, uncle," he said briefly.
"I will address myself, then, to both of you. You will remember that I offered you a hundred dollars in cash—I have the money with me," he added, tapping his pocket—"if you will sign acknowledgment that you have received your full share of your father's estate. It is a mere form, but I want to wind the whole business up and have it off my hands."
"I can't sign such a paper at present, Solon."
"Why not?"
"Because I am not sure that I have received my full share."
"Don't you believe my assurance to that effect?" said Solon Talbot impatiently.