,
fostered it. But being of large theoretical mind, he found his due
outlet in giving advice.

It is plain at a glance that in such a case the mother is the proper one
to give advice, and the father the one to act strenuously. But now Mrs.
Bart, who was a very good lady, and had gone through a world of
trouble from the want of money--the which she had cast away for sake of
something better--came to the forefront of this pretty little business,
as Insie's mother, vigorously.

"Christophare," she said to her husband, "not often do I speak, between
us, of the affairs it is wise to let alone. But now of our dear child
Inesa it is just that I should insist something. Mandaro, which you call
English Maunder, already is destroyed for life by the magnitude of
your good mind. It is just that his sister should find the occasion of
reversion to her proper grade of life. For you, Christophare, I have
abandoned all, and have the good right to claim something from you. And
the only thing that I demand is one--let Inesa return to the lady."

"Well," said Mr. Bart, who had that sense of humor without which no man
can give his property away, "I hope that she never has departed from
it. But, my dear, as you make such a point of it, I will promise not to
interfere, unless there is any attempt to do wrong, and intrap a poor
boy who does not know his own mind. Insie is his equal by birth and
education, and perhaps his superior in that which comes foremost
nowadays--the money. Dream not that he is a great catch, my dear; I know
more of that matter than you do. It is possible that he may stand at the
altar with little to settle upon his bride except his bright waistcoat
and gaiters."

"Tush, Christophare! You are, to my mind, always an enigma."

"That is as it should be, and keeps me interesting still. But this is a
mere boy and girl romance. If it meant anything, my only concern would
be to know whether the boy was good. If not, I should promptly kick him
back to his own door."

"From my observation, he is very good--to attend to his rights, and make
the utmost of them."

Mr. Bart laughed, for he knew that a little hit at himself was intended;
and very often now, as his joints began to stiffen, he wished that his
youth had been wiser. He stuck to his theories still; but his practice
would have been more of the practical kind, if it had come back to
be done again. But his children and his wife had no claim to bring
up anything, becau