Thinking now on the insinuated proposition that his father might disinherit him, he promptly rejected it.

"No danger of his doing that," he assured her, with the utmost confidence.

"Father is an honest man, and he wouldn't think of anything so dishonest, so dishonorable." This view of a child's rights in the estate of its parents amused Mrs.
Whitney.

She knew how quickly she would herself cut off a child of hers who was obstinately disobedient, and, while she felt that it would be an outrage for Hiram Ranger to cut off his son for making what she regarded as the beginning of the highest career, the career of "gentleman," still she could not dispute his right to do so.

"Your father may not see your rights in the same light that you do, Arthur," said she mildly.