“What’s all this?” Witherspoon asked.  He had paid no attention to this trifling set-to and had caught merely the last accent of it.

“Oh, nothing, I’m sure,” Ellen answered.

“Very well, then, we can easily put it aside.  Henry, what was it you said to-day at noon about going away?”

“I said that I was going with a newspaper excursion to Mexico.”

“Oh, surely, not so far as that!” Mrs. Witherspoon exclaimed.

“It won’t take long, mother.”

“No, but it’s so far; and I should think that you’ve had enough of that country.”

“I’ve never been in Mexico.”

“Oh, well, all those countries down there are just the same, and I should think that when you have seen one your first impression is that you don’t want to see another.”

“They are restful at any rate,” he replied.

“But can’t you rest nearer home?”

“I could, but I have made up my mind to go with this excursion.  I’ll not be gone long.”

“When are you going to start?”

“To-morrow evening.”

“So soon as that?”

“Yes; I—­I didn’t decide until to-day.”

“I don’t like to have you go so far, but you know best, I suppose.  Are you going out this evening?” she asked.

“No.”

“Well, I wish to have a talk with you alone.  Come to my sitting-room.”

“With pleasure,” he answered.

He thought that he knew the subject upon which she had chosen to talk; he saw that she was worried over Miss Drury; but when he had gone into her room and taken a seat beside her, he was surprised that she began to speak of Witherspoon’s health.

“I know,” she said, “that he is getting stronger, but he needs one great stimulus—­he needs you.  Please don’t look at me that way.”  She took his hand, and it was limp in her warm grasp.  “You know that I’ve always taken your part.”

“Yes, mother, God bless you.”

“And you know that I wouldn’t advise you against your own interest—­you know, my son, that I love you.”

His hand closed upon hers, and his eyes, which for a moment had been cold and rebellious, now were warm with the light of affection and obedience.

“I will do what you ask,” he said.

“God bless you, my son.”

She arose, and hastening to the door, called:  “George! oh, George!”

Witherspoon answered, and a moment later he came into the room. 
“George, our son will take his proper place.”

Henry got up, and the merchant caught him by the hand.  “You don’t know how strong this makes me!” He rubbed his eyes and continued:  “This is the first time I have seen you in your true light.  You are a strong man—­you are not easily influenced.  Sit down; I want to look at you.  Yes, you are a strong man, and you will be stronger.  I will buy the Colton interest—­the Witherspoons shall be known everywhere.  To-morrow we will make the arrangements.”