he asked, sitting down
and taking Alma's hand in his.

"We--we hardly thought of anything until she began to be better,"
answered Mrs. Prescott. He looked at her sternly a moment, and then
his whole face softened, almost to a look of humility and
shame-facedness.

"Once you told me that you were a foolish woman, Lallie," he said, "and
I must confess that for a very long time I was blind enough, and
selfish enough, to think it of you. Now it's only fair that I should
be as brave as you and admit that I have been a very foolish man. I
have been about the biggest fool that ever escaped the badge of long
ears. All I did was to deprive myself of a lot of happiness, and to
deprive some other very dear people of happiness that it was my
privilege to bestow.

"Now, the truth is, that while my 'principles' were excellent,--they
wouldn't work. They didn't do _me_ any good. Hang it all! Here I was
trying to make good, thrifty wives out of you two girls, for some young
rascal--and depriving myself of the sweetest pleasure in life for that
same impudent young husband who shan't have you, anyway!

"They were excellent principles, too, their only fault being that
they--wouldn't work.

"And now, ladies, I herewith adopt you. I shall establish my legal
right to you all. I--I feel--well, I hope I have made it quite clear,
that anything, everything--on this green earth, that I can give you, is
yours. And if you want to make me very happy, you'll demand it
instantly."

For a little time no one said anything, then, heaving a great sigh,
Alma burst out:

"Uncle Thomas, I'll expire if I don't hug you!"

And when she _had_ hugged him, until there was more likelihood of _his_
demise than her own, he said:

"I'm afraid I'm breaking up a brilliant business career for you, ma'am.
The little that I can offer you is a mere nothing compared to the
dazzling prospects which were opening before you----"

"You needn't be jocose, Uncle," interrupted Alma, severely. "Many a
millionaire started on only five cents, and _I_ started on fifteen
dollars!"

"I hear that young Arnold is buying a house here," remarked Mr.
Prescott. "Now, what in the world is he doing that for?"

"Why, indeed?" murmured Alma, wickedly. "The truth is, Uncle Thomas
that he is madly in love with me. He sent me all these flowers, and,
measles or no measles, he has been serenading me every night; hasn't
he, Miss Tracy?"

"Alma! You ridiculous creature,"