idea,
it was satisfactory.

"SIR," he began. He considered this matter very deeply; but as the
entire future of his own life was concerned in it he felt that it became
him to be both grave and severe.

"I have received your letter and have read it with attention. I observe
that you admit that you told Mr. Augustus Scarborough a deliberate
untruth. This is what the plain-speaking world, when it wishes to be
understood as using the unadorned English language, which is always the
language which I prefer myself, calls a lie--A LIE! I do not choose that
this humble property shall fall at my death into the hands of A LIAR.
Therefore I shall take steps to prevent it,--which may or may not be
successful.

"As such steps, whatever may be their result, are to be taken, the
income,--intended to prepare you for another alternative, which may
possibly not now be forth-coming,--will naturally now be no longer
allowed.--I am, sir, your obedient servant, PETER PROSPER."

The first effect of the letter was to produce laughter at the rectory.
Harry could not but show it to his father, and in an hour or two it
became known to his mother and sister, and, under an oath of secrecy, to
Joshua Thoroughbung. It could not be matter of laughter when the future
hopes of Miss Matilda Thoroughbung were taken into consideration. "I
declare I don't know what you are all laughing about," said Kate,
"except that Uncle Peter does use such comical phrases." But Mrs.
Annesley, though the most good-hearted woman in the world, was almost
angry. "I don't know what you all see to laugh at in it. Peter has in
his hands the power of making or marring Harry's future."

"But he hasn't," said Harry.

"Or he mayn't have," said the rector.

"It's all in the hands of the Almighty," said Mrs. Annesley, who felt
herself bound to retire from the room and to take her daughter with her.

But, when they were alone, both the father and his son were very angry.
"I have done with him forever," said Harry. "Let come what may, I will
never see him or speak to him again. A 'lie,' and 'liar!' He has written
those words in that way so as to salve his own conscience for the
injustice he is doing. He knows that I am not a liar. He cannot
understand what a liar means, or he would know that he is one himself."

"A man seldom has such knowledge as that."

"Is it not so when he stigmatizes me in this way merely as an excuse to
himself? He wants to be rid of me,--probably bec