to my own conscience, and hope you may yet see the folly and
wickedness of your course.

I have only to add that when that time comes you are welcome to
return to my roof and protection, and I will intercede with your
excellent employer, Mr. Bickford, to take you back and teach you
his trade, whereby you may be enabled to earn a more respectable
living than you are doing at present. Ralph joins with me in this
wish.

Your uncle,
STEPHEN WATSON.

Kit's lip curled when he read this hypocritical letter, and was tempted
to despise his uncle more now than ever. He lost no time in sending this
reply:

UNCLE STEPHEN,--I have received your letter, and can only express
my surprise at the view you take of your treatment of me. Whether
my father really left me as destitute as you claim, I am not in a
position to say. If you have really gone to personal expense in
maintaining and educating me up to this point, I shall, when I am
able, reimburse you to the last cent. But I cannot forgive you for
your trying to force a boy, reared and educated as I have been, to
learn the trade of a blacksmith. You say that I have enjoyed
advantages similar to those of your son Ralph. I wish to ask
whether you would dream of apprenticing him to any such business.

You speak of my low associations, and call me a mountebank. In the
town I have just left I was the guest of the mayor, and have
promised to spend a week at his house on a visit when the circus
season is over. Though you have done your best to lower me
socially, I am confident that I shall be able to win a good place
by my own unaided exertions.

I have no intention in continuing as a circus performer, though I
am very liberally paid. It is too soon for me to decide upon my
future course, but you may tell Mr. Bickford he need not wait for
me to resume my place in his shop.

I do not know when I shall see you or Ralph again, but you need
have no fear that I shall appeal to your generosity.

Your nephew,
CHRISTOPHER WATSON.

Stephen Watson read this letter with surprise and chagrin. He was sorry
to hear that Kit was doing so well, and alarmed at his implied doubt
whether he