"There will be many and great changes in store for us," continued
the judge. "But as we met adversity with dignity, I am sure we
shall be able to endure prosperity with equanimityonly unworthy
natures are affected by what is at best superficial and
accidental. I mean that the blight of poverty is about to be
lifted from our lives."
"Do you mean we ain't going to be pore any longer, grandfather?"
asked Hannibal.
The judge regarded him with infinite tenderness of expression; he
was profoundly moved.
"Would you mind saying that again, dear lad?"
"Do you mean we ain't going to be pore any longer, grandfather?"
repeated Hannibal.
"I shall enjoy an adequate competency which I am about to
recover. It will be sufficient for the indulgence of those
simple and intellectual tastes I propose to cultivate for the
future." In spite of himself the judge sighed. This was hardly
in line with his ideals, but the right to choose was no longer
his. "You will be very rich, Hannibal. The Quintard lands--your
grandmother was a Quintard--will be yours; they run up into the
hundred of thousand of acres here about; this land will all be
yours as soon as I can establish your identity."
"Will Uncle Bob be rich too?" inquired Hannibal.
"Certainly. How can he be poor when we possess wealth?" answered
the judge.
"You reckon he will always live with us, don't you, grandfather?"
"I would not have it otherwise. I admire Mr. Yancy--he is simple
and direct, and fit for any company under heaven except that of
fools.
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