“I don’t know what to do, Sophie. What would you advise?”

“Keep the old man; remove him to some other place, sell this house, and invest the money in the bonds of the railroad. And, above all things, cut Greer.”

“You are a trump, Sophie,” said Wilbur. “You don’t suppose I intend to share with Elmer? Smith engaged him and let Smith pay him. I will have nothing to do with him.”

“Perhaps it might be as well,” suggested the woman, “that you led him to believe he was to receive a share of the profits.”

“What’s that?”

“The old man has awakened,” replied Sophie, going to the door. “You do not wish to see him, I suppose?”

“Why not?”

“I thought——”

“Never mind what you thought,” said Wilbur, “leave me alone with him.”

Sophie went downstairs, and Wilbur walked into the parlor.