eady concluded that they did, or my uncle would not have been so
lavish of his money upon me.

"Property! What put that idea into your head?" demanded he; and he was
more agitated than the circumstances seemed to warrant.

"I have no idea anything about it. I only asked the question."

"It is enough for you to know that I am willing to take care of you,
and pay your expenses, however extravagant they may be, as long as you
behave properly."

"I have always done so."

"No, you haven't! You have resisted your teacher, knocked him down,
killed him for aught I know. You are a bad boy."

It seemed just as though my uncle intended to drive me to desperation,
and compel me to commit some rash act. I could not see why he should
refuse to tell me anything about my father and mother.

"I asked you whether my parents left any property for me. You did not
answer me," I continued.

"I will answer no questions," replied he.

"If they did, it is right that I should know it," I persisted.

"If they did, you will know it when you are of age to receive it."

"I would like to know whether you are supporting me out of your own
property or with my own."

"It doesn't concern you to know, so long as you are supported."

"Yes, it does, and I insist upon knowing."

"I shall answer no questions," replied he, more troubled now than
angry.

"If there is nothing belonging to me, I am very willing to go to work
and support myself. I don't wish to be a burden upon one who cares so
little for me as you do."

"I did not say you were a burden. I have given you all you asked for,
and am willing to do so still."

"I don't wish to have you do so, if what you give me does not belong
to me."

"You are a foolish boy!" said he, impatiently.

"You have hardly spoken to me before for a year; and you never said as
much to me as you have to-night before in all my lifetime."

"It was not necessary to do so."

"Uncle Amos, I am old enough now to be able to think for myself," I
continued, earnestly. "It is time for me to know who and what I am,
and I am going to find out if it is possible for me to do so."

"It is not possible," said he, greatly agitated, though he struggled
to be calm. "What do you wish to know?"

"About my parents."

He walked the room for a moment with compressed lips, as if
considering whether he should tell me what I wanted to know.

"If I have concealed anything from you, it was for your own good,"
replied he, w