You can't afford it, and it will not be right."

"O," said Paul, smiling, "you give me credit for too much. I mean that
you shall pay your board."

"But you know I have no money."

"No, I don't. I don't consider that a lady is penniless, who has an
income of three hundred dollars a year."

"I don't understand you, Paul."

"Then, perhaps you will understand this," said our hero, enjoying the
old lady's astonishment.

He drew from his pocket a roll of bills, and passed them to Aunt Lucy.

The old lady looked so bewildered, that he lost no time in explaining
the matter to her. Then, indeed, Aunt Lucy was happy; not only because
she had become suddenly independent, but, because after years of
coldness and estrangement, her brother had at last become reconciled to
her.

"Now, Aunt Lucy," resumed Paul, "I'll tell you what my plans are. You
shall get into the chaise with me, and go at once to New York. I think
Aunt Hester will be willing to receive you as a boarder; if not, I will
find you a pleasant place near by. Will that suit you?"

"It will make me very happy; but I cannot realize it. It seems like a
dream."

At this moment Mrs. Mudge entered the room, and, after a moment's
scrutiny, pretended to recognize Paul. Her husband followed close behind
her.

"Can I believe my eyes?" she exclaimed. "Is this indeed Paul Prescott? I
am very glad to see you back."

"Only a visit, Mrs. Mudge," said Paul, smiling.

"You'll stop to dinner, I hope?"

Paul thought of the soup and dry bread which he used to find so
uninviting, and said that he should not have time to do so.

"We've thought of you often," said Mr. Mudge, writhing his harsh
features into a smile. "There's scarcely a day that we haven't spoken of
you."

"I ought to feel grateful for your remembrance," said Paul, his eyes
twinkling with mirth. "But I don't think, Mr. Mudge, you always thought
so much of me."

Mr. Mudge coughed in some embarrassment, and not thinking of anything in
particular to say, said nothing.

"I am going to take from you another of your boarders," said Paul. "Can
you spare Aunt Lucy?"

"For how long?" asked Mrs. Mudge.

"For all the time. She has just come into possession of a little
property,--several hundred dollars a year,--and I have persuaded her to
go to New York to board."

"Is this true?" exclaimed Mrs. Mudge in astonishment.

"Yes," said the old lady, "God has been bountiful to me when I least
expected it."

"Ca