THE QUITCLAIM DEED.
"Mother, you are determined to be imposed upon," said Fitz, as he rushed into the house with the astounding intelligence he had obtained in Phillimore Court.
"Perhaps you can afford to refuse a gift of ten thousand dollars—I cannot," replied Mrs. Wittleworth. "I did not ask or beg anything of Mr. Checkynshaw. He volunteered to give it to me, rather for my sister's sake than my own, perhaps; but I feel that I ought to take it."
"Don't touch it, mother!" protested Fitz. "It will be the ruin of you if you do. Mother, you have no confidence in me. You are willing to trust almost any one rather than me."
"I judge for myself. It is better to take Mr. Checkynshaw's gift than to starve."
"O, nonsense, mother! Why will you be so absurd?" groaned Fitz. "Why will you persist in talking about starving?"
"Why will I, Fitz? Because we have hardly five dollars in the world, and both of us are out of work."
"But I shall get something to do in a few days. Will you let me bring the suit against Checkynshaw for the block of stores?"
"No, I will not, Fitz."
"I told you Checkynshaw was imposing upon you, and now I have proved it."