all things obstinately bent on having his own way. He had persuaded
himself that our young hero, Philip, would be better off in the
poorhouse than in a place where he could earn his own living, and no
one could convince him to the contrary.

As to the boy's feelings on the subject, he considered those of no
importance. He had good reason to know that Philip would object to
being an inmate of the almshouse, but he was determined that he
should go there.

In like manner, before the auction was over, he saw clearly that it
would realize a sum more than sufficient to pay the funeral expenses
of the late Mr. Gray and the few small bills outstanding against his
estate, and that there was no necessity that Philip's violin should
be sold, but none the less he resolved that it should be sold.

"Shall I allow a young lad to dictate to me?" Squire Pope asked
himself, in irritation. "Certainly not! I know better what is right
than he. It is ridiculous that a town pauper should own a violin.
Why, the next thing, we shall have to buy pianos for our almshouses,
for the use of the gentlemen and ladies who occupy them. A violin,
indeed!"

This Squire Pope regarded as irresistible logic and withering
sarcasm combined.

He saw Philip go out of the cottage, but, as the sale was not over,
he was unable to follow him.

"Never mind, I'll fix him as soon as I have time," he said to