“Well, it’s your house, do as you please.  I suppose you’ll turn us out of our own home now.”

“As you did me,” said the Philosopher, smiling.  “Let me remind you that I was living on the river farm.  My father had promised it to me, and given me possession.  A week before his death you got the will changed, by what means you know.  You turned me off the farm which had virtually been mine for two years.  If I turn you off now, it will be no more than fair.”

There was a look of pained surprise on Julia’s face.  She had not known that the wrong her uncle had suffered was so great.  She had not thought that he would be so severe as to turn her father out.

“I don’t want to talk of these things,” Andrew went on.  “I ought to have broken the will, but I was not a believer in the law.  I tell this story now because I must justify myself to these young people for what I am going to do.  You have had the use of that part of the estate which was rightfully mine for twenty years.  I suppose I may claim it all now.”

Julia’s eyes looked at him pleadingly.

“Why don’t you send us off and be done with it then?” said Mrs. Abigail, rising up and resuming her old vehemence.  “You set out to ruin us, and now you’ve done it.  A nice brother you are!  Ruining us by a conspiracy with Bob Walker, and then sitting here and trying to make my own daughter think you did right, and bringing that hateful fellow here to hear it!” Her finger was leveled at August.

“I am glad to see you are better, Abigail.  I wanted to be sure you were strong enough to bear all I have to say.”

“Say your worst and do your worst, you cruel, cruel man!  I have borne enough from you in these years, and now you can say and do what you please; you can’t do me any more harm.  I suppose I must leave my old home that I’ve lived in so long.”

“You need not worry yourself about leaving; that’s what I came over to say.”

“As if I’d stay in your house an hour!  I’ll not take any favors at your hand.”

“Don’t be rash, Abigail.  I have deeded this hill farm to Samuel, and here is the deed.  I have given you back the best half of the property, just what my father meant you to have.  I have only kept the river land, that should have been mine twenty years ago.  I hope you will not stick to your resolution not to receive anything at my hand.”

And Julia said:  “Oh!  I’m so—­”

But Mrs. Anderson had a convenient fit of hysterics, crying piteously.  Meantime Samuel gladly accepted the deed.

“The deed is already recorded.  I sent it down yesterday as soon as I saw Samuel come back, and I got it back this morning.  The farm is yours without condition.”

This relieved Abigail, and she soon ceased her sobbing.  Andrew could not take it back then, whatever she might say.

“Now,” said Andrew, “I have only divided the farms without claiming any damages.  I want to ask a favor.  Let Julia marry the man of her choice in peace.”