"How's the old lady?"

"Do you mean my mother?"

"Of course I do. I don't mean Grace."

"She's well," answered Paul, briefly.

"She don't like me, and she don't treat me well," said Stephen; "but I don't bear no malice. The world is big enough for both of us."

"I hope you are prospering," said Paul, again regarding the new suit.

"Yes; I'm getting along better'n I was. How do you like my clothes?"

"They are an improvement on your old ones."

"I should say so myself. Come, Paul, you're a smart boy, if you are rather cranky sometimes. Being as we are brothers, I'll stand treat. Come in and take a drink."

He made a movement to enter a saloon close at hand, but Paul held back.