The Project Gutenberg EBook of Probable Sons, by Amy LeFeuvre

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net

Title: Probable Sons

Author: Amy LeFeuvre

Release Date: January 22, 2004 [EBook #10777]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PROBABLE SONS ***

Produced by Joel Erickson, Michael Ciesielski, Garrett Alley and PG
Distributed Proofreaders

"PROBABLE SONS"

BY

AMY LEFEUVRE

AUTHOR OF "CHERRY," "THE ODD ONE," ETC.

"_A little child shall lead them_."

1896

[Illustration: The Broken Statue.]

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. AN UNWELCOME LEGACY

CHAPTER II. DAVID AND GOLIATH

CHAPTER III. THE FIRST PUNISHMENT

CHAPTER IV. MRS. MAXWELL'S SORROW

CHAPTER V. A PRODIGAL

CHAPTER VI. A PROMISE KEPT

CHAPTER VII. CROSS-EXAMINATION

CHAPTER VIII. "HE AROSE AND CAME TO HIS FATHER"

CHAPTER IX. "A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM"

"PROBABLE SONS."

* * * * *

CHAPTER I.

AN UNWELCOME LEGACY.

"Children! They are a nuisance to everyone--my abomination, as you know,
Jack. Why on earth they can not be kept out of sight altogether till
they reach a sensible age is what puzzles me! And I suppose if anything
could make the matter worse, it is that this is a girl."

The tone of disgust with which the last word was uttered brought a laugh
from Sir Edward Wentworth's companion, who replied, as he took his cigar
from his mouth and gazed critically into the worried, perplexed face of
his host--

"My dear fellow, she is not of an age yet to trouble you much. Wait till
she gets a bit older. When her education is finished, and she takes
possession of you and your house, will be the time for you to look to
us for pity!"

"Look here, Sir Edward," said a bright looking youth from the other side
of the room, "I'll give you a bit of advice. Send the child straight off
to school. Is she coming to-day? Good. Then pack her off to-morrow, and
keep her there as long as is needful. Then I will go down and inspect
her, and if she grows up to be a moderately decent-looking girl, I will
do you a good turn by taking her off your hands. She will have a nice
little fortune, you informed us, and if you w