Turning to his uncle, he asked quietly.  “What did you mean by ’the promise of an Atwood’?”

“You ought to know.  Our family, for generations, have lived up among the granite hills of Forestville, and, although poor, our promises, whether spoken or written, are like them.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that—­I’m glad to be reminded of it,” his nephew replied.  “Well, my promise has already been given.  I have promised that poor broken-hearted woman, Mrs. Jocelyn, that I’d try to help her through her terrible misfortunes.  I’ve promised her daughter Belle that I’d give her a brother’s care and affection.  I’ve promised the girl I love that I would at least be her friend, since I cannot be more.  I’ll prove myself a true Atwood, worthy to sustain the family name and honor by keeping my promises, and if I break them, you yourself, deep in your heart, would despise me.”

For a moment the old merchant was nonplussed, so adroitly and unexpectedly had Roger turned his words against him.  Then, like most men suddenly put in a false position, he grew angry, and blurted out, “Nonsense!  It doesn’t apply at all.  These artful women have come it over you—­have entrapped you.”  The young man here made a strong gesture of protest.  “Oh, don’t try to deceive me,” his uncle proceeded, more loudly and passionately; “I know the world.  If I’d blindly made promises to adventurers who would compass my ruin, ought I to keep them?  If I find I’ve indorsed a forged check, ought I not to stop its payment?  In the name of your parents and as your uncle, I protest against this folly, for I see well enough where it will end.  Moreover, I tell you plainly that you must choose between me and my offers, and that old sot of a Jocelyn and his scheming wife and daughters.  If you can be carried away by such absurdity, you are weaker than water, and the sooner you learn by bitter experience the better, for you certainly belong to that class which only hard experience can teach.  But I’d like to see those brazen-faced creatures and give them a piece of—­”

“Stop!” thundered Roger; “beware how you say another word against those whom sorrow should render sacred.  You know less about them than about heaven.  Do you forget that I am of age?  You made me an offer, and I thanked you for it honestly and gratefully.  What’s more, I was base enough to be tempted by it.  Oh, yes”—­with a bitter laugh—­“I was an Atwood enough for that.  If you had not coupled it with the condition that I should, like a coward, desert helpless and unfortunate women to whom my word is given, I would have fulfilled your best hopes and ambitions, and have made your age glad with my grateful love and service.  In your cold-hearted worldliness you have overreached yourself, and you wrong yourself more than me, even though I perish in the streets.  But I won’t starve.  Mark my words:  I’ll place the Atwood name where you can’t, with all your money, and I shall not make broken faith with those who trust me, the foundation of my fortunes.”