him up in business as a farmer. He was rather shiftless,
and preferred the company of his farm laborers to going into the
fashionable society the rest of the family moved in; and so all his life
he has been nothing but a rough, unrefined farmer."

"What a pity, mum."

"Yes, it is a pity, but I suppose it was in him. Of course, it is very
mortifying to me to have him come here--so different as he is from the
rest of us. I am sure you can understand that, Nancy."

"Oh, yes, mum."

"He won't feel at home among us, and I think I shall ask Colonel Ross to
pay his fare back to Illinois, and give him a pension, if he really
needs it. I dare say he has lost his farm, and is destitute, for he
never knew how to take care of money."

"That would be very kind of you and the colonel, mum," said Nancy, who
didn't believe half her mistress was saying, but thought it might be for
her interest to pretend she did.

"By the way, Nancy, I think I shall not need any more the mantilla you
like so well. You can have it, if you like."

"Oh, thank you, mum," exclaimed Nancy, in surprise.

For she had never before received a present from her mistress, who was
well known to be mean and penurious.

The mantilla was a handsome one, and she thanked Mrs. Ross effusively.

"There, I've managed her," thought Mrs. Ross, "though at the expense of
the valuable mantilla. I grudge it to her, but it is best to guard her
against any of Uncle Obed's stories, at any cost. I must get rid of him
as soon as I can."

Colonel Ross wished his wife to postpone speaking for a week, but this
she was unwilling to promise. She agreed to let her uncle stay a week,
but insisted on giving him notice to quit sooner.

On the morning of the third day she found her opportunity. Breakfast was
over, and she left alone with the old man.

"Mr. Wilkins," she said, "I want to have a talk with you."

"Certainly, Lucindy, you can talk just as much as you please. But what
makes you call me Mr. Wilkins? When you were a little girl, and came
over with a message from your mother, it was always Uncle Obed."

"It is so long since I have seen you that I hardly feel like speaking so
familiarly," said Mrs. Ross.

"You'll feel better acquainted after a while, Lucindy."

"That shows he expects to stay a long time," thought Mrs. Ross.

"Don't you think you made a mistake in leaving Illinois?" asked Mrs.
Ross, point-blank.

"Well, perhaps I did," admitted Uncle Obed.

"Of c