d to make another move in the complicated game which he
had resolved to play out and win; but this move, which he had considered
one of the easiest of all, proved to be the most unfortunate, or rather
unmanageable.

"Now, mother," said he, "I mean to make a proposal to 'ee, before going
out for the day, so that you may have time to think over it. This cabin
o' yours ain't just the thing, you know,--raither dirty, and too high in
the clouds by a long way, so I've bin an' seen a noo house on the river,
not unlike this one, an' I wants you to shift your berth. What say
'ee--eh?"

To the Captain's surprise and dismay, the old woman shook her head
decidedly, and no argument which he could bring to bear had the least
effect on her. She had, in fact, got used to her humble old home, and
attached to it, and could not bear the thought of leaving it. Having
exhausted his powers of suasion in vain, he left her to think over it,
and sallied forth crestfallen. However, he consoled himself with the
hope that time and consideration would bring her to a right state of
mind. Meanwhile he would go to the parties interested, and communicate
the contents of Willum's letter.

He went first to Doctor Lawrence, who was delighted as well as pleased
at what it contained. The Captain at first read only the clauses which
affected his friends the Stoutleys, and said nothing about that which
referred to the Doctor himself.

"So you see, Doctor, I'm off to let the Stoutleys know about this little
matter, and just looked in on you in passing."

"It was very kind of you, Captain."

"Not at all, by no means," returned the Captain, pulling out a large
clasp-knife, with which he proceeded carefully to pare his left thumb
nail. "By the way, Doctor," he said carelessly, "were you ever in
love?"

Lawrence flushed, and cast a quick glance at his interrogator, who,
however, was deeply engaged with the thumb nail.

"Well, I suppose men at my time of life," he replied, with a laugh,
"have had some--"

"Of course--of course," interrupted the other, "but I mean that I wonder
a strapping young fellow like you, with such a good practice, don't get
married."

The Doctor, who had recovered himself, laughed, and said that his good
practice was chiefly among the poor, and that even if he wished to
marry--or rather, if any one would have him--he would never attempt to
win a girl while he had nothing better than two hundred a year and
prospects to o