ewest freak of his--and he
has got me guessing as to what it means--I admit I thought he was quite
as likely to lick me as I was to lick him. I've watched him pretty
closely and I am a pretty fair judge of a man, I flatter myself. Did he
tell you that, a while ago, I offered him a place in my office?"

"In your office? You offered him that? No, he did not tell me. Roscoe!"
reproachfully.

"I did not tell you, Mother, because it was not worth while. Of course I
could not accept the offer."

She hesitated and, before she spoke, Colton broke in.

"Why not? That was what you were going to say, Mrs. Paine, I take it.
That is what _I_ said--why not? And I say it again. Paine, that offer is
still open."

I shook my head. "I told you then that I could not accept," I said. "It
is impossible."

"Why is it impossible? So far as I am concerned I believe you would be a
mighty good investment."

"Impossible," I said again.

"Nothing is impossible. We won't waste words. I am going to be plain and
I think Mrs. Paine will excuse me. You think you should not leave your
mother, perhaps. I understand that reason. It would be a good one,
except that--well, that it isn't good any longer. Your mother is much
better than she was. Quimby--her doctor and mine--says so. I shall see
that she is well looked after. If she needs a nurse she shall have
one, the best we can get. Oh, be still and let me finish! You can talk
afterward. You're not going so far away. New York isn't the end of the
earth; it is only the center, or it thinks it is. You'll be in close
touch with Denboro all the time and you can come here whenever you want
to. Now will you take my offer?"

"No."

"Young man, if I didn't know there were brains inside that head of yours
I should think it was, as the boys say, solid ivory. Confound you! Here,
Mrs. Paine," turning to Mother, "you take him in hand. Tell him he must
come with me."

"Mother--" I protested. He cut my protest short.

"Tell him," he ordered.

Mother looked at me. "I think, perhaps, you should accept, Roscoe," she
said, slowly.

"Accept! Mother!"

"Yes. I--I think you should. I am sure everyone else would think so. I
should not wish you to do so if Mr. Colton was merely trying to be kind,
to help you from motives of gratitude, or charity--"

"Don't use that word, please," snapped "Big Jim." "When I lose my mind I
may take to charity, but not before. Charity! Good Lord!"

"But it is not charity. I a