Squills.--"Hear, hear!"

Pisistratus (with dignified emotion).--"No man, therefore, has a right
to rob another of a forefather, with a stroke of his pen, from any
motive, howsoever amiable. In the present instance you will say,
perhaps, that the ancestor in question is apocryphal,--it may be the
printer, it may be the knight. Granted; but here, where history is
in fault, shall a mere sentiment decide? While both are doubtful, my
imagination appropriates both. At one time I can reverence industry and
learning in the printer; at another, valor and devotion in the knight.
This kindly doubt gives me two great forefathers; and, through them, two
trains of idea that influence my conduct under different circumstances.
I will not permit you, Captain Roland, to rob me of either forefather,
either train of idea. Leave, then, this sacred void unfilled,
unprofaned, and accept this compromise of chivalrous courtesy while my
father lives with the Captain, we will believe in the printer; when away
from the Captain, we will stand firm to the knight."

"Good!" cried Uncle Roland, as I paused, a little out of breath.

"And," said my mother, softly, "I do think, Austin, there is a way of
settling the matter which will please all parties. It is quite sad to
think that poor Roland and dear little Blanche should be all alone in
the Tower; and I am sure that we should be much happier all together."

"There!" cried Roland, triumphantly. "If you are not the most obstinate,
hard-hearted, unfeeling brute in the world,--which I don't take you to
be,--brother Austin, after that really beautiful speech of your wife's,
there is not a word to be said further."

"But we have not yet heard Kitty to the end, Roland."

"I beg your pardon a thousand times, ma'am--sister," said the Captain,
bowing.

"Well, I was going to add," said my mother, "that we will go and live
with you, Roland, and club our little fortunes together. Blanche and I
will take care of the house, and we shall be just twice as rich together
as we are separately."

"Pretty sort of hospitality that!" grunted the Captain. "I did not
expect you to throw me over in that way. No, no; you must lay by for the
boy there. What's to become of him?"

"But we shall all lay by for him," said my mother, simply,--"you as well
as Austin. We shall have more to save, if we have more to spend."

"Ah, save!--that is easily said; there would be a pleasure in saving,
then," said the Captain, mournful