about?" he thought. He read the letter:

Mason's Corner, January 22, 186--

My dear Mr. Sawyer:--I regret very much that I was absent when you
called, but am glad to learn from mother that you had a pleasant visit.
Although you are from the city I am sure you would blush if you could
hear the nice things mother said about you. I am conceited enough to
think that you will find time to call on us again soon, for I wish to
consult you regarding an important business matter. I am going to Boston
next Monday in relation to this business and if you could make it
convenient to call before then it would be greatly appreciated by

Yours very truly,
LUCINDA PUTNAM.

Quincy reflected. "What is she up to? Some legal business, I suppose.
Well, I am not practising law now; I shall have to refer her to--"

He took up the other letter and read, "Sawyer, Crowninshield, &
Lawrence."

His father's letter read as follows:

Boston, January 21, 186--

My dear Son:--Yours at hand, and inquiries carefully noted. I had a
brother, James Edward Sawyer; he was five years older than I and must be
about sixty. Father wished him to study law, but he wouldn't study
anything. When father died he got his share of the money, about $50,000,
but he squandered the most of it in high living. The next we heard of
him he had married a country girl named Eunice Raymond, I think. He
brought her to Boston and tried to introduce her into the society he had
been brought up in. She was a nice, pretty woman, but uneducated, and
naturally bashful, and James finally left the city and went to live
somewhere in the country, I never knew where! he never wrote me after
leaving Boston. This Jim Sawyer may be your uncle. I hope not, but if he
is, remember he is my brother, and if he needs any assistance let me
know at once. I hope your health is improving. Your mother and sisters
are well and send love, as does also

Your affectionate father,
NATHANIEL ADAMS SAWYER.

As Quincy finished his second letter there was another rap at the door
and Mandy's voice was heard outside saying, "Supper's ready, Mr.
Saw--yer."

Quincy jumped to his feet. He had not unlocked his trunk, as he was not
certain that it would be worth while to do so. It was but the work of a
few moments to make the necessary changes in his toilet. He put on a
black Prince Albert coat in place of a sack coat that he usually wore,
but before he had completed this change there came another tap on the