Boston, January 21, 186—­

My dear Son:—­Yours at hand, and inquiries carefully noted.  I had a brother, James Edward Sawyer; he was five years older than I and must be about sixty.  Father wished him to study law, but he wouldn’t study anything.  When father died he got his share of the money, about $50,000, but he squandered the most of it in high living.  The next we heard of him he had married a country girl named Eunice Raymond, I think.  He brought her to Boston and tried to introduce her into the society he had been brought up in.  She was a nice, pretty woman, but uneducated, and naturally bashful, and James finally left the city and went to live somewhere in the country, I never knew where! he never wrote me after leaving Boston.  This Jim Sawyer may be your uncle.  I hope not, but if he is, remember he is my brother, and if he needs any assistance let me know at once.  I hope your health is improving.  Your mother and sisters are well and send love, as does also

Your affectionate father,
Nathaniel Adams Sawyer.

As Quincy finished his second letter there was another rap at the door and Mandy’s voice was heard outside saying, “Supper’s ready, Mr. Saw—­yer.”

Quincy jumped to his feet.  He had not unlocked his trunk, as he was not certain that it would be worth while to do so.  It was but the work of a few moments to make the necessary changes in his toilet.  He put on a black Prince Albert coat in place of a sack coat that he usually wore, but before he had completed this change there came another tap on the door, and Mandy’s voice was heard saying, “The things will get cold if you don’t come down right away.”

As Quincy entered the large room which was used for a dining-room, he was met by Uncle Ike.  Ezekiel was standing a short distance from his uncle.  Uncle Ike said, “’Zekiel, this is my friend, Mr. Sawyer.  Mr. Sawyer, this is my nephew, ’Zekiel Pettengill.  I am good friends with both of you, and I hope you will be good friends to each other.”

The two men shook hands.  If each had any idea of what the other was thinking about he did not betray it by look or act.

Uncle Ike continued, “Mr. Sawyer, this is Jim Cobb and this is Bill Cobb, and this,” as Mandy entered bearing something for the table, “is Miss Mandy Skinner.  Now that we are all acquainted, I think we had all better introduce ourselves at once to the supper.  I haven’t done such a hard day’s work for sixteen years.”

Ezekiel insisted upon Uncle Ike taking the head of the table.  He motioned Mr. Sawyer to take the second seat from his uncle on the right, while he took the first seat on the left, with Cobb’s twins next to him.

Quincy immediately surmised that when the sister appeared at the table she would probably sit between him and Uncle Ike.

The meal was not a very lively one as far as conversation went.  Quincy inquired politely concerning Miss Pettengill’s health, and Uncle Ike said she was tired after her trip, and Mandy was going to take her supper up to her.