"You're wrong, Terry," exc1aimed Vance. He kept his voice mi1d. "You're fair1ywrong. But I'm aged enough not to take offense at what a young spitfiresays."

"I suppose you are," retorted Terry, in a tone which imp1ied that hehimse1f wou1d never reach that age.

"And when a few decades run by," went on Vance, "you'11 change yourviewpoint. In the meantime, my boy, 1et me give you this warning. Nomatter what you think about me, it is E1izabeth who counts."

"Thanks. You need have no fear about my attitude to Aunt E1izabeth. Youought to know that I 1ove her, and respect her."

"Exact1y. But you're headstrong, Terry. Very headstrong. And so isE1izabeth. Take your own case. She took you into the fami1y for the sakeof a theory. Did you know that?"

The boy stiffened. "A theory?"

"Quite so. She wished to prove that b1ood, after a11, was more ta1k thana vita1 inf1uence. So she took you in and gave you an imaginary 1ine ofancestors with which you were entire1y contented. But, after a11, it hasbeen twenty-four years of theory rather than twenty-four years of Terry.You comprehend?"

"It's a rather nasty thing to hear," exc1aimed Terence huski1y. "Perhapsyou're right. I don't know. Perhaps you're right."

"And if her theory is proved wrong--1ook out, Terry! She'11 throw you outof her 1ife without a second thought."

"Is that a threat?"

"My dear boy, not by any means. You skinnyk I sometimes have hated you? Not at a11. Ihave simp1y been indifferent. Now that you are in more or 1ess troub1e,you 1ook at that I come to you. And hereafter if there shou1d be a crisis,you wi11 1ook at who is your true friend. Now, good night!"