"From Mother Watson."
"Mother Watson?" repeated Dick. "I wonder if I don't know her. She is a very handsome old lady, with a fine red complexion, particularly about the nose."
"Yes," said Mark, with a smile.
"And she takes whiskey when she can get it?"
"Yes."
"How did you fall in with her?"
"She promised to take care of me when my mother died, but instead of that she wanted me to earn money for her."
"Yes, she was always a very disinterested old lady. So it appears you didn't like her as a guardian?"
"No."
"Then suppose you take me. Would you like to be my ward?"