THE FIFTH STRING
from girlhood to womanhood. To Mildred he was one of that numerous army of brevet relations known as "granpop," "pop," or "uncle." To her he was Uncle Sanders.
If the old man had one touch of human nature in him it was a solicitude for Mildred's future—an authority arrogated to himself—to see that she married the right man; but even that was directed to her material gain in this world's goods, and not to any sentimental consideration for her happiness. He flattered himself that by timely suggestion he had "stumped" at least half a dozen would-be candidates for Mildred's hand. He pooh-poohed love as a necessity for marital felicity, and would enforce his argument by quoting from the bard:
"All lovers swear more performance than they are able, and yet reserve an
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