"Hair-pins cost a great deal," he would affirm solemnly, "and pins. How much pin-money had the princess royal? Put down fifteen thousand dollars for hair-pins, black pins, white pins: what other pins do women use?"
"But," I would expostulate, "you must attend to this."
"And why?" he would ask, turning his fine melancholy eyes upon me. "Don't tire me out, Floyd."
We were alone, although my mother and Helen were almost within hearing on the balcony.
"I am willing to do everything for you, sir," I said, "but nevertheless it seems to me that it is scarcely prudent for you to entrust me with your duties. I am totally inexperienced; my knowledge of finance is the mere mastery of figures; I am—"
"Look here, dear boy," said Mr. Floyd in a kind but weary voice: "I am only trying to save you trouble. When I die you will take my place as Helen's executor and trustee. It would be harder then for you to learn the mystery of all these details by yourself. Now I am here to teach you."
Ellen W. Olney.
[TO BE CONTINUED.]