her and
me. That one of your humble origin can estimate the impression upon
another of such an offer as you made to my nephew is quite beyond
expectation. The Hertfords have always been gentlemen and ladies and
_you_ would send the last of the race, by the power of your vulgar
money, to work among common labourers in order to break his spirit and
pride! You are too blind, apparently, to appreciate the honour my
brother paid your sister by marrying her. His personal shortcomings
could not possibly outweigh the position that he gained for her when
she took his name. Through all these years I have suppressed my
feeling as to the matter because I have felt that you and I, working
together, might place the son of your sister and my brother in a
position that would reflect credit upon us both; but since you have
failed to recognize your opportunity and, in sordid revenge, have
sought to degrade him, I assume _all_ responsibility in the future. I
am, comparatively, a poor woman, but hereafter _Lansing Treadwell_ and
I will share and share alike. I shall endeavour, to the best that is
in me, to prove to him that it is such men as you who hold the world
back! Men who over-estimate money and undervalue blood and social
position are not to be envied or trusted.

Having read this aloud to Matilda, Levi dropped the closely written
sheet to the floor.

"She's got the courage of her convictions," Matilda snapped.

"And an old grudge," Markham returned.

"Well, I will say this for her," Matilda added; "she's upset her kettle
of fish and Lans', too."

"So it seems! So it seems!"

Levi was looking at a flaming maple tree outside and thinking of his
dead sister.

It was the evening of the day of the letter that Sandy Morley, sitting
rigidly in the chair that Lansing Hertford had lounged in, listened to
as much of an outline of his future as Levi Markham felt he could
comprehend.

"And remember," Markham warned at the end, "I want you to learn how
_little_ a hundred dollars is as well as how big! One is as important
as the other."

"Yes, sir," Sandy returned with a vague wonder, for he had yet to learn
to think in dollars.

"Can you"--Markham considerately paused before putting the next
question--"do you feel able to tell me a little more about yourself
than I already know? I should like to feel that you trust me."

Sandy was stronger and better for his days in Bretherton and, never
having had any great conside