“Helen,” he said, “I have made arrangements for some money. What would you like to do this year?”
She raised her head and looked at him with clear bright gaze. If he could so easily raise the money, why had he not done so before? He knew how much she wanted it. Her happiness did not count. Only when his quixotic ideas of family honor were attacked did he bestir himself.
“I am going to Uncle Amos's,” she replied distinctly.
“What?” asked Thorpe incredulously.
For answer she pointed to a letter lying open on the table. Thorpe took it and read:
“My dear Niece:
“Both Mrs. Thorpe and myself more than rejoice that time and reflection have removed that, I must confess, natural prejudice which the unfortunate family affair, to which I will not allude, raised in your mind against us. As we said long ago, our home is your's when you may wish to make it so. You state your present readiness to come immediately. Unless you wire to the contrary, we shall expect you next Tuesday evening on the four-forty train. I shall be at the Central Station myself to meet you. If your brother is now with you, I should be pleased to see him also, and will be most happy to give him a position with the firm.
“Aff. your uncle,
“Amos Thorpe.
“New York, June 6, 1883.”