t ain't tied up so tight it won't
do him any good now? Of course the Greys will pretend to come to Kitty's
aid, if Hetty closes up on her. But it will be humiliating enough to all
of them even if they do pay the money. You see it isn't generally known
that there is a mortgage on the Farwell place."

"I'm not so sure that they can pay it," interrupted Eldon in that cold
tone that was like a mask, hiding perhaps a warm depth of feeling; or
perhaps it was only the expression as cool as the iciness of his spoken
thoughts. "I happen to know of an account against Elbert Grey that will
cripple that branch of the family for the time being. Ashur could no
more turn over the money than could Robert, and Lisbeth is so tied up
that he is out of the question. As a matter of fact the Greys would be
up against it."

"Have you warned Kitty?" asked Jeoffrey Maise, turning to Miss Hetty.

"Not yet. But I shall warn her, and give her as much time--as the law
allows."

"Good for you!"

"Hetty!" Eldon's voice held a note of cold reproach. "You--a
woman--would you try to ruin a widow and three helpless orphans?"

"There you go again," passionately declared his sister, feeling the
force of his argument, yet anxiously seeking to justify her position.
"You claim to be a man of business, and yet you would condemn me for
taking what is lawfully mine. Please remember, Eldon, that I am doing it
for the sake of our departed sister's children. Aren't they orphans
themselves? Won't they need the money as much as those Farwell young
ones do? Pearl's voice is little short of remarkable, but it takes money
to train it. Peri must go to college some day, you all agree. Very well.
But some one must pay the expenses. They shall have it too, in spite of
you, Eldon. I'll warrant you wouldn't do less for your Alois."

Throughout this conversation Periwinkle had remained silent, though his
interest and bewilderment increased every moment. At Miss Hetty's words
a look of understanding displaced his puzzled frown. Springing to his
feet, he unhesitatingly addressed the astonished company in such a
respectful yet determined manner that his presumption could not but be
pardoned.

"Aunt Hetty," he demanded, "did you say that thing that you called a
mortgage belonged to Pearl and me?"

"Yes," replied his aunt shortly, "and I as your legal guardian, may do
with it as I see fit."

"That is a strange law," replied her questioner. "But I tell you, Aunt
Hetty,