ETHEL [icily]. How?
PIKE. Well, I haven't much of a doubt but Jim'll have some statements
in it that'll show you I'm right about these people. If he's got the
facts, I _know_ he will.
ETHEL. _How_ do you know it?
PIKE. Because I've had experience enough of life--
ETHEL. In Kokomo?
PIKE. Yes, ma'am! there's just as many kinds of people in Kokomo as
there is in Pekin, and I didn't serve a term in the legislature without
learning to pick underhand men at sight. Now that Earl, let alone his
havin' a bad eye--his ways are altogether too much on the stripe of T.
Cuthbert Bentley's to suit me.
[He opens the envelope slowly, continuing.]
T. Cuthbert was a Chicago gentleman with a fur-lined overcoat. He opened
up a bank in our town, and when he caught the Canadian express, three
months later, all he left in Kokomo was the sign on the front door. That
was _painted_ on. And as for the son. But there--I don't know as I have
a call to say more.
[Takes the letter from the envelope.]
Here's the letter; read it for yourself.
[Gives it to her, watching her as she reads.]
ETHEL [reading]. "Dear Dan: The Earldom of Hawcastle is one of the
oldest in the Kingdom, and the St. Aubyns have distinguished themselves
in the forefront of English battles from Agincourt and Crecy to
Sebastopol.
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