"It was founded on what father told me."
"True: but I think your father's mind was weakened towards the end of his life. He was not really responsible for what he said."
"I disagree with you there, Solon. Father seemed to me in full possession of his faculties to the last."
"You viewed him through the eyes of filial affection, but I was less likely to be influenced in my judgments."
"Five thousand dollars would have made me so happy. We are miserably poor, and Mark has to work so hard to support us in this poor way."
"I thought telegraph boys earned quite a snug income," said Solon Talbot, who looked uncomfortable.
He was dreading every moment that his sister-in-law would ask him for pecuniary assistance. He did not understand her independent nature. Her brother-in-law was about the last man to whom she would have stooped to beg a favor.
"Mark sometimes makes as high as five dollars a week," said Mrs. Mason in a tone of mild sarcasm.
"I am sure that is very good pay for a boy of his age."
"It is a small sum for a family of three persons to live upon, Solon."