Usually after supper, Loammi took a walk, but he never invited Scott to go with him. Once when Scott proposed to do so, his cousin declined the companionship curtly.
"I have a special engagement," he said. "I don't care for company."
After that Scott, who had his share of pride, kept to himself. He saw that Loammi looked upon him as a poor relation.
One evening when he returned from the store, he was surprised to have Loammi meet him just outside the door.
"I am glad you have come," he said. "There's an old frump inside who says he is a cousin of pa's. He is old and shabby, and I expect he wants to live on pa. It looks as if he would be overwhelmed with poor relations."
"I suppose he is a cousin of mine, too."
"Yes; for Heaven's sake, go in and keep him company. I'll introduce you."
"If he is a cousin of mother's, I shall be glad to know him."
"You can have him all to yourself. Goodness knows I never want to see him again."