eir property to the company, without first trying to
make interest for their father with it; that was their right, and their
duty; and he would try what could be done; but he warned Suzette that he
should probably fail.

"And then what did he think we ought to do?" Adeline asked.

"He didn't say," Suzette answered.

"I presume," Adeline went on, after a little pause, "that you would like
to give up the property, anyway. Well, you can do it, Suzette." The joy
she might have expected did not show itself in her sister's face, and
she added, "I've thought it all over, and I see it as you do, now.
Only," she quavered, "I do want to do all I can for poor father, first."

"Yes," said Suzette, spiritlessly, "Mr. Putney said we ought."

"Sue," said Adeline, after another little pause, "I don't know what
you'll think of me, for what I've done. Mr. Hilary has been here--"

"Mr. Hilary!"

"Yes. He came over from his farm--"

"Oh! I thought you meant his father." The color began to mount into the
girl's cheeks.

"Louise and Mrs. Hilary sent their love, and they all want to do
anything they can; and--and I told Mr. Hilary what we were going to try;
and--he said he would speak to his father about it; and--Oh, Suzette,
I'm afraid I've done more than I ought!"

Suzette was silent, and then, "No," she said, "I can't see what harm
there could be in it."

"He said," Adeline pursued with joyful relief, "he wouldn't let his
father speak to the rest about it, till we were ready; and I know he'll
do all he can for us. Don't you?"

Sue answered, "I don't see what harm it can do for him to speak to his
father. I hope, Adeline," she added, with the severity Adeline had
dreaded, "you didn't ask it as a favor from him?"

"No, no! I didn't indeed, Sue! It came naturally. He offered to do it."

"Well," said Suzette, with a sort of relaxation, and she fell back in
the chair where she had been sitting.

"I don't see," said Adeline, with an anxious look at the girl's worn
face, "but what we'd both better have the doctor."

"Ah, the doctor!" cried Suzette. "What can the doctor do for troubles
like ours?" She put up her hands to her face, and bowed herself on them,
and sobbed, with the first tears she had shed since the worst had come
upon them.

The company's counsel submitted Putney's overtures, as he expected, to
the State's attorney, in the hypothetical form, and the State's
attorney, as Putney expected, dealt with the actuality.