I am going away to work." Mr.Bell regarded his daughter with a stern, slow stare; not so much surprised as annoyed by an untimely jesting.

He ate a hot biscuit in two un-Fletcherized mouthfuls, and put more sugar in his large cup of tea.
"You've got your Mother all worked up with your nonsense," said he.
"What are you talking about anyway ?" Diantha met his eyes unflinchingly.

He was a tall old man, still handsome and impressive in appearance, had been the head of his own household beyond question, ever since he was left the only son of an idolizing mother.

But he had never succeeded in being the head of anything else.

Repeated failures in the old New England home had resulted in his ruthlessly selling all the property there; and bringing his delicate wife and three young children to California.