thing they say to me. I haven’t known Mr. Vesey very long, but I think he’s a very nice young man, he’s so frank and honest in everything he says to me.”
“Now, that’s what I’m gittin’ at,” says old Hinkle. “You’ve always been sayin’ you like people what tell the truth and don’t go humbuggin’ you with compliments and bogus talk. Now, suppose you make a test of these fellers, and see which one of ’em will talk the straightest to you.”
“But how’ll I do it, pa?”
“I tell you how. You know you sing a little bit, Ily; you took music-lessons nearly two years in Logansport. It wasn’t long, but it was all we could afford then. And your teacher said you didn’t have any voice, and it was a waste of money to keep on. Now, suppose you ask the fellers what they think of your singin’, and see what each one of ’em tells you. The man that’ll tell you the truth about it ’ll have a mighty lot of nerve, and ’ll do to tie to. What do you think of the plan?”
“All right, pa,” said Ileen. “I think it’s a good idea. I’ll try it.”
Ileen and Mr. Hinkle went out of the room through the inside doors. Unobserved, I hur-
