real social time."

Mrs. Marlowe seemed horror-struck at the suggestion.

"I don't think it would be convenient," she said, coldly.

"It would be better for you to see Mrs. Barton at her own house," put in
the squire, hastily.

"Well, perhaps it would."

"By the way, Uncle Jacob, I hope your experiences of California are
pleasant," insinuated Squire Marlowe.

"They're mixed, Albert. I've had my ups and downs."

"I have heard of large fortunes being made there," pursued the squire.
"I suppose there's some truth in what we hear?"

"To be sure! Why, ten years from the time I went to the mines I had a
hundred thousand dollars deposited to my credit in a Sacramento bank."

Squire Marlowe's eyes sparkled with pleasure. It was just what he had
been hoping to find out. So Uncle Jacob was rich, after all! The
squire's manner became even more gracious, and he pressed upon his
relative another plate of ice cream.

"No, thank you, Albert," said the old man. "I'm used to plain livin'. It
isn't often I sit down to a meal like this. Do you know, there's
nothing suits me better than a dinner of corned beef and cabbage."

"How vulgar the old man is!" thought Mrs. Marlowe. "He may have money,
but his tastes are _very_ common."

"We never have corned beef and cabbage here," she said, with a slight
shudder.

"Very likely Bert Barton's mother has it very often," suggested Percy.

"My dear," said the squire, urbanely, "if Uncle Jacob really enjoys
those dishes so much, you might provide them for his special use."

"I will think of it," replied Mrs. Marlowe, shortly.

Now that Uncle Jacob had hinted at the possession of wealth, Squire
Marlowe beheld him as one transfigured. He was no longer a common,
shabby old man, but a worthy old gentleman of eccentric ideas in the
matter of wardrobe and manners.

"I wonder if Uncle Jacob wouldn't advance me twenty-five thousand
dollars," was the thought that was passing through his mind as he gazed
genially at his countrified guest. "It would help me amazingly in my
business, and enable me to do double as much. I will mention it to him
in good time."

"I've a great mind to come upon the old man for a handsome birthday
present," thought Percy. "Fifty dollars wouldn't be much for him to
give. I shan't get more than a fiver from the governor."

"Uncle Jacob," said the squire, as they rose from the table, "suppose
you walk over to the factory with me; I should like you to see it."

"N