ur mother's mind is easier it doesn't matter.
I cannot explain things fully to you at present, but you seem to be
sensible girls, and girls to be trusted. I may just tell you this
much--all this trouble is nothing new; I had seen it coming for years.
The only thing I had not anticipated was that those fools of lawyers
should have told your mother about the crash when it did come. There was
no need for her to know anything about it. I'm her trustee----"

"But not legally," interrupted Elsa. "Mamma explained to us that you
couldn't be held responsible, as it was only like a friend that you had
helped her all these years."

"Hoot-toot, toot-toot!" he replied testily; "what difference does that
make? But never mind. I will explain all about it to you both--before
long. Just now the question is your mother. I think you will agree with
me when I say that it is plain to me that Master Geoff should leave
home?"

"I'm afraid mamma will be very much against it," said Elsa. "You see,
Geoff is a good boy in big things, and mamma thinks it is owing to her
having kept home influence over him. He's truthful and conscientious--he
is, indeed, and you must see I'm not inclined to take his part."

"But he's selfish, and bullying, and ungrateful. Not pretty qualities,
my dear, or likely to make a good foundation for a man's after-life. I'm
not going to send him to a grand boarding-school, however--that I
promise you, for I think it would be the ruin of him. Whatever I may do
to save your mother, I don't see but that Master Geoff should face his
true position."

"And we too, great-uncle," said Frances, eagerly. "Elsa and I are quite
ready to work; we've thought of several plans already."

"I quite believe you, my dear," said Mr. Byrne, approvingly. "You shall
tell me your plans some time soon, and I will tell you mine. No fear but
that you shall have work to do."

"And----" began Elsa, but then she hesitated. "I was going to ask you
not to decide anything about Geoff till you have seen more of him. If
Frances and I could earn enough to keep him at school as he is, so that
mamma could have the comf---- No, I'm afraid I can't honestly say that
having Geoff at home would be any comfort to her--less than ever if
Frances and I were away. Great-uncle, don't you think Geoff should have
some idea of all this?"

"Certainly. But I cannot risk his teasing your mother. We will wait a
few days. I should like to see poor Alice looking better; an