d," said Josie, "is just how it comes that our
property must be deeded away."

"I can see," said I, "that that is a matter which demands investigation
on your part. Your request is a natural and a proper one."

"It is not that," said she, evidently objecting to the word
investigation; "we are not so very much surprised, and we have no doubt
as to the necessity of doing it. But we want to know as much as possible
about it before we act."

"Quite right," said I. "Mr. Elkins is in the next office; let us call
him in. He sees and can explain these things as clearly as any one."

Jim came in response to a summons by one of his clerks. He shook hands
gravely with my visitors.

"We are told," said Mrs. Trescott, "that our debts are a good deal more
than we can pay--that we really have nothing."

"Not quite that," said Jim; "the law gives to the widow the home and the
life insurance. That is a good deal more than nothing."

"As to whether we can keep that," said Josie, "we are not discussing
now; but there are some other things we should like cleared up."

"We don't understand Mr. Cornish's offer to take the property and pay
the debts," said Mrs. Trescott.

Jim's glance sought mine in a momentary and questioning astonishment;
then he calmly returned the widow's look. Josie's eyes were turned
toward the carpet, and a slight blush tinged her cheeks.

"Ah," said Jim, "yes; Mr. Cornish's offer. How did you learn of it?"

"I got my understanding of it from Mr. Lattimore," said Mrs. Trescott,
"and told Josie about it."

"Before we consent to carry out this plan," said Josie, "we ... I want
to know all about the motives and considerations back of it. I want to
know whether it is based on purely business considerations, or on some
fancied obligation ... or ... or ... on merely friendly sentiments."

"As to motives," said Mr. Elkins, "if the purely business requirements
of the situation fully account for the proposition, we may waive the
discussion of motives, can't we, Josie?"

"I imagine," said Mrs. Trescott, finding that Jim's question remained
unanswered, "that none of us will claim to be able to judge Mr.
Cornish's motives."

"Certainly not," acquiesced Mr. Elkins. "None of us."

"This is not what we came to ask about," said Josie. "Please tell us
whether our house and the insurance money would be mamma's if this plan
were not adopted--if the courts went on and settled the estate in the
usual way?"

"Yes," said