'What earthly difference can a little more or less circulation make when it's a country weekly! No, Henry, believe me, I have a great deal of confidence in you—I mean that you'll keep on growing up and forming character—but this sort of thing can not—simply can not—go on now. Why, Henry, you haven't even begun your man's life yet! Very likely you'll write. It may be that you're a genius. But that makes it all the more a problem. Can't you see——'
'Yes, of course, but——'
'No, listen to me! I asked Cicely to-day why you were coming so often. I wasn't at all satisfied with her answers to my questions. And when I forced her to admit that she has been as good as engaged to you——'
'But we aren't engaged! It's only an understanding.'
'Understanding! Pah! Don't excite me, Henry. I want to straighten this out just as pleasantly as I can. I am fond of you, Henry. But I never dreamed—— Tell me, you and that young Weaver own the Gleaner, I think.'
'Yes'm we own it. But——'
'Just what does that mean? That you have paid money—actual money—for it?'
'Yes'm. It's cost us about four thousand.'
'Four thousand! Hmm!'
'And then Charlie Waterhouse—he's town treasurer—he sued me for libel—ten thousand dollars'—Henry seemed a thought proud of this—'and I had to give him two thousand to settle. It was something in one of my stories—the one called Sinbad the Treasurer. Mr Davis—he's my lawyer—he said Charlie had a case, but——'