--"

"I know enough. If you mean her escapades with the picture people or her
innocent joke about the patchwork sampler,--I don't care about those
little things. She has a wonderful big, noble nature, that will respond
quickly to loving care and gentle advice. And,--I _think_ she cares for
me, but--"

"Of course she cares for you! What girl wouldn't! Don't underestimate
yourself or your attractions, Phil. But I'll speak plainly; you're a big
man in lots of ways,--beside physically. You're an aristocrat,--of an
old family,--and you're very rich. Now,--Azalea--"

"Please don't talk of my birth or wealth as assets. I offer Azalea
a heart full of love, and a constant care for her happiness and
well-being. If she does care for me, I want your permission to try
to win her. I have broached the subject--"

"What did she say?"

"She--oh, I don't know,--she said--well, she ran away!"

"Surprised and a little shy, probably," Farnsworth looked thoughtful.
"I may as well tell you, Phil, oh hang it! How shall I put it? Well,
there's something queer about Azalea."

"What do you mean,--queer?"

"I don't know. And it may be nothing. But,--her only near relative,
so far as I know, is her father. A man I knew years ago,--a cousin of
mine,--and a decent, hard-working, plain man. Now, Zaly has not had a
single letter from him since she has been here."

"Why? Where is he?"

"I don't know. She won't tell. I've written to him twice,--but I've had
no reply. I'm telling you all I know."

"Thank you for being so straightforward. Do you--do you think there's
anything dishonourable--"

"That he's in jail? That's the idea that haunts my brain. I can't think
of any other explanation for his continued silence,--and for Azalea's
mysterious disinclination to talk about him. Why, Phil, she forged a
letter,--wrote one to herself,--and pretended to me that it was from her
father!"

"Poor child! How unhappy she must be over it. If she cares for me, Bill,
I'll take all that load off her poor little shoulders. I'll get her to
tell me the truth, and then we'll see what can be done. But, in any
case, or whatever her father may be, it won't affect my love for the
girl herself. My idea of birth and breeding is that it gives one an
opportunity to be tolerant and generous toward others of fewer
advantages. To me, Azalea stands alone,--her family connections,
whatever they may be, I accept gladly, for her dear sake."

"I say, Phil, forgive me if I