Dick, struggling into his overcoat, turned at the Major’s touch on his arm.

“Just a minute, Dick.”  Major Verney’s genial voice was sympathetic as a woman’s.  “Remember that what the Colonel refused in prosperity he’s not likely to take in adversity.  Sit down here by the fire until we talk it over.”

“But, Major”—­there was a note of anguish in the boy’s voice—­“I must go to him.  Think of Uncle Noah selling himself to help them, and I—­”

But the Major had already removed the overcoat and gently pushed his guest into a chair by the fire.  “Yes, yes,” he said as he seated himself; “we know all about that, my boy; but I’m afraid, Dick,” he added regretfully, “that the Colonel wouldn’t let you in.  He’s very bitter.”

Dick groaned.  He was calmer now.  “You’re right, Major,” he said steadily; “it hurt so at first that I didn’t think.  I can’t go now.”  He leaned forward anxiously.  “The Cotesville Bank—?” he questioned abruptly.

“Crashed in the autumn—­in September.”  Dick bit his lip, and the Major added:  “He was heavily interested?”

Dick stared at the fire.  “It was all he had,” he said.

“I see.”  The Major’s quiet voiced gave no hint of his own emotion.  “I didn’t know.  Of course I heard he had lost something; we all did; but I thought he had other money.”

“No.  Tell me, Major, you’ve been going to Brierwood this winter just as usual?”

“Of course; every Wednesday night.  The Colonel and I are too old to alter the habit of a lifetime, and besides we both love that long evening playing chess.  There’s always a roaring wood fire and a steaming pot of coffee, and your mother always plays Beethoven for us just before I go.”

A look of relief shone in Dick’s eyes. “‘Always a fire,’” he repeated.  “I’m glad of that.  There was no suggestion of—­of want?”

“Heavens, no!” The Major’s deep voice was full of assurance.  “Last week,” he added thoughtfully, “the coffee was pretty weak, but it never occurred to me that—­” he stopped abruptly, rose from his chair with sudden energy, violently blew his nose, and tramped down to the end of the hall and back.  “Damn the Fairfax pride!” he exclaimed fiercely.  “Here Uncle Noah has been coming into the library Wednesday nights and telling the Colonel that the stock had all been bedded down for the night when all the time there’s been nothing left but this confounded old turkey gobbler we’ve been hearing about.  He swore last week that somebody had stolen the silver teapot.  Abominable old liar!  He must have sold it.”  The Major threw out his arms with a wrathful gesture.  “All this comedy, if you please, for my benefit.  Here I’ve been there every week, and never suspected, thanks to the infernal stratagems of that black fiend of an Uncle Noah.  Damn the Fairfax pride!”

The Major sat down as suddenly as he had risen, and, bending over, attacked the fire with vicious energy.