"If my aunt were to turn me out of the house, your mother would not take me in!" Letty was not herself now; she was herself and Tom--by no means a healthful combination.
"My mother won't be mistress long," answered Tom.

"She will have to do as I bid her when I am one-and-twenty, and that will be in a few months." Tom did not know the terms of his father's will.

"In the mean time we must keep quiet, you know.

I don't want a row--we have plenty of row as it is.

You may be sure _I_ shall tell no one how I spent the happiest hour of my life.