said Amberson. "He is trying, in fact. I've sat in the
shop watching him try for several beautiful afternoons, while outside
the windows all Nature was fragrant with spring and smoke. He hums
ragtime to himself as he tries, and I think his mind is wandering to
something else less tedious--to some new invention in which he'd take
more interest."

"But you mustn't let him," she cried. "You must make him keep on
trying!"

"Oh, yes. He understands that's what I sit there for. I'll keep
sitting!"

However, in spite of the time he spent sitting in the shop, worrying
the inventor of the fractious light, Amberson found opportunity to worry
himself about another matter of business. This was the settlement of
Isabel's estate.

"It's curious about the deed to her house," he said to his nephew.
"You're absolutely sure it wasn't among her papers?"

"Mother didn't have any papers," George told him. "None at all. All she
ever had to do with business was to deposit the cheques grandfather gave
her and then write her own cheques against them."

"The deed to the house was never recorded," Amberson said thoughtfully.
"I've been over to the courthouse to see. I asked father if he never
gave her one, and he didn't seem able to understand me at first. Then he
finally said he thought he must have given her a deed long ago; but he
wasn't sure. I rather think he never did. I think it would be just as
well to get him to execute one now in your favour. I'll speak to him
about it."

George sighed. "I don't think I'd bother him about it: the house is
mine, and you and I understand that it is. That's enough for me, and
there isn't likely to be much trouble between you and me when we come to
settling poor grandfather's estate. I've just been with him, and I think
it would only confuse him for you to speak to him about it again. I
notice he seems distressed if anybody tries to get his attention--he's a
long way off, somewhere, and he likes to stay that way. I think--I think
mother wouldn't want us to bother him about it; I'm sure she'd tell us
to let him alone. He looks so white and queer."

Amberson shook his head. "Not much whiter and queerer than you do, young
fellow! You'd better begin to get some air and exercise and quit hanging
about in the house all day. I won't bother him any more than I can help;
but I'll have the deed made out ready for his signature."

"I wouldn't bother him at all. I don't see--"

"You might see," said his un