You came into their lives abruptly, appearing from those horrid Western wilds with an amazing accumulation of money and a demand that your three nieces become your special _protegees_.

And what is the result ?" The little man looked up with a charming smile of good humored raillery.
His keen gray eyes sparkled as mischievously as a schoolboy's.

Softly he rubbed the palms of his hands together, as if enjoying the situation.
"What is it, Martha, my dear?
What is the result ?" he asked.
"You've raised them from their lowly condition to a sphere in which they reign as queens, the envy of all who know them.

You've lavished your millions upon them unsparingly; they are not only presumptive heiresses but already possessed of independent fortunes.

Ah, you think you've been generous to these girls; don't you, John Merrick ?" "Go on, Martha; go on." "You've taken them abroad--you took my own daughter, John Merrick, and left _me_ at home!--you've lugged your three nieces to the mountains and carried them to the seashore.