"Once you told me that you were a foolish woman, Lallie," he said, "and I must confess that for a very long time I was blind enough, and selfish enough, to think it of you. Now it's only fair that I should be as brave as you and admit that I have been a very foolish man. I have been about the biggest fool that ever escaped the badge of long ears. All I did was to deprive myself of a lot of happiness, and to deprive some other very dear people of happiness that it was my privilege to bestow.
"Now, the truth is, that while my 'principles' were excellent,—they wouldn't work. They didn't do me any good. Hang it all! Here I was trying to make good, thrifty wives out of you two girls, for some young rascal—and depriving myself of the sweetest pleasure in life for that same impudent young husband who shan't have you, anyway!
"They were excellent principles, too, their only fault being that they—wouldn't work.
"And now, ladies, I herewith adopt you. I shall establish my legal right to you all. I—I feel—well, I hope I have made it quite clear, that anything, everything—on this green earth, that I can give you, is yours. And if you want to make me very happy, you'll demand it instantly."
For a little time no one said anything, then, heaving a great sigh, Alma burst out:
"Uncle Thomas, I'll expire if I don't hug you!"
And when she had hugged him, until there was more likelihood of his demise than her own, he said:
"I'm afraid I'm breaking up a brilliant business career for you, ma'am. The little that I can offer you is a mere nothing compared to the dazzling prospects which were opening before you——"
"You needn't be jocose, Uncle," interrupted Alma, severely. "Many a millionaire started on only five cents, and I started on fifteen dollars!"
"I hear that young Arnold is buying a house here," remarked Mr. Prescott. "Now, what in the world is he doing that for?"