Swept Out to Sea / Or, Clint Webb Among the Whalers

ted a Conversati

es, the butler. Marie, the Frenchwoman, seemed desirous of telling

ome and gone (and this time, I was glad to see, with a more cheerful f

s when I insisted. "La, la!" she exclaimed, in

arp to her, in my newly acquired confidence. But she was mothe

ou are better-the doctor says you are-and I hope you will forgive me for my part in the disgraceful

you are so impulsive and

regular pussy cat around the house,

like your fath

eard about my father-save the hints that those two scoundrels have dropped-m

my hand convulsi

n! You must not

d about Mr. Chester Downes and Paul, if it hurts your feelings for me to tell the t

never do such a thi

k up that old scandal to

you mean, Clinton?"

w, mother?" I asked, for I was troubled by

ts, or other people like that, repeating the story. Oh, Clinton! it almost broke my heart at the time. That anyb

again by the manner in which she spoke of Paul

not know what I would have done had it not been for Chester. He came imme

ting the suspicion to the test. "Mother," I asked, "

er smooth cheek flush and then turn pale again. M

at is a strange q

ty good pattern for his son to copy. If father trusted Mr. Chester Downes, I cou

inton! you ha

said, quietly. "But how about father? Wha

lowly and doubtfully, "Doctor Webb was

N

to our house while t

y not?"

so confused that I felt that my mother, who was the soul

nion, at least," I said. "As it is," I added, "no

mine, Clinto

it upon almost any other subject you could name, Mu

prejudiced

prejudiced that I do not mean he shal

ed, "I do not see how

unfilial to you, or ungrateful for your kindnes

ed, and shran

ny more," I declared, firmly. "Paul hates me; his father has done his best to poison your mind against m

he said, to

ummer. I couldn't stay here and listen to that false man and be annoyed by that great, hulking bo

I felt condemned to insist. But the occasion was serious. I knew-as Ham had warned me

e to each other, mot

" she said. "He can manage my busine

h?" I demanded. "He was our lawyer an

s behind the times. He cannot inves

stion without admitting what I had supposed-that Mr. Chester Dow

ate cannot be sold at all till I am of age. But what property does come to me when I'm twenty-one, I'd

ly ridiculous," cried

won't bother about Chester Downes and Paul? Put it down that I am jealous of the influence th

py, Clinton," said my mother, still so

you to do for me for a year, Mumsie!" I cried, calling h

you so happy, my boy?

g enough. I'll be around here if you want me. I shan't go ou

in it under her apron. It was a square white object. I knew it was a letter. Mr. Chester Downes had been writing to