that."

"He'll lend me the money if I work things right," Squire Marlowe said to
himself. "He'll be like wax in my hands."

CHAPTER IV.

UNCLE JACOB'S STARTLING REVELATION.

"Uncle Jacob was at the factory this afternoon," said Bert to his
mother, when he went home. "He says he may call here this evening."

"I hope he will. He was my poor mother's favorite brother--always kind
and good-hearted. How is he looking, Bert?"

"He seems in good health for an old man. His face is browned up, as if
he had been out in the open air a good deal."

"I hope he has. It is twenty-five years since he went to California.
Does he look as if he had prospered?"

"I am afraid he is poor, mother, for although his clothing is neat and
clean, it is plain and the cloth is faded?"

"I am sorry to hear that, but I will welcome him none the less warmly.
It will indeed seem like old times to have Uncle Jacob in my house."

Meanwhile Bert had been bringing in wood and doing chores for his
mother.

"Did Uncle Jacob tell you how long he intended to stay in Lakeville?"

"No, mother; I only had a short time to talk with him when Percy rode
by, and then he started to call on the squire. Do you know, mother, I am
rather surprised that he should have been so well received, poor as he
looks."

"I think better of Albert for it. It shows that he is not so worldly as
I feared. Certainly Uncle Jacob ought to be well received by Albert
Marlowe, for when Albert's father was in trouble Jacob lent him five
hundred dollars--all in money he had--and I feel sure the money has not
been repaid to him to this day."

"I don't think Percy will be very cordial. You know what high notions he
has."

"He gets them principally from his mother, who is extremely aristocratic
in her ideas."

"Was she of a high family?"

Mrs. Barton smiled.

"Her father was a fisherman," she replied, "and when a girl she used to
run barefoot on the sand. Later on she sewed straw for a living. She is
no worse for that, certainly, but it doesn't give her any claims to
aristocracy."

"Do you think Percy knows about his mother's early life?"

"I presume she has kept it secret from him."

"I shall think of it when Percy gets into one of his patronizing moods."

"Remember, Bert, that neither he nor his mother is any the worse for her
humble birth."

"I understand that, I hope, mother, just as I don't feel ashamed of our
being poor."

"As long as we can make an hon