"Nothing further than to get to work again as soon as I am able to
undertake it," he said.
Uncle John looked thoughtfully, and drummed with his finger upon the
little table.
"Joseph," he remarked, presently, "I bought this farm at a price
altogether too small, considering its value."
The boy flushed.
"Please do not say that!" he exclaimed, hastily. "I am well aware that I
virtually robbed you, and my only excuse is that I believed I would win
my fight and be able to redeem the place. But that is over now, and you
must not think that because I am ill and helpless I am an object
of charity."
"Phoo!" said the little man; "aren't you accepting charity from Old
Hucks?"
"But he stands as a second father to me. He is an old retainer of my
family, and one of my ambitions is to secure a home for him and Nora in
their old age. No; I do not feel at all embarrassed in accepting money
or assistance from Thomas."
"Young man," said Uncle John, sternly, "one of the follies of youth is
the idea of being independent of the good-will of your fellow-creatures.
Every person who lives is dependent on some other person for something
or other, and I'll not allow you to make a fool of yourself by refusing
to let me take you in hand. Your brain is affected--"
"It is not!"
"You are mentally unbalanced, and need a guardian.
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