"Oh no! Not in the least!" exclaimed Douglas. "Minturn has sons of his
_wife's_. She persistently upsets and frustrates Minturn's every idea for
them, while he is helpless. You will remember she has millions; he has
what he earns. He can't separate his boys, splendid physical little chaps,
from their mother's money and influence, and educate them to be a help to
him. They are to be made into men of wealth and leisure. Minturn will
evolve his little brother into a man of brains and efficiency."
"But Minturn is a power!" cried the girl.
"Not financially," explained Douglas. "Nothing but money counts with his
wife. In telling me of this boy, Minturn confessed that he was forced,
_forced_ mind you, to see his sons ruined, while he is building a street
gamin as he would them, if permitted."
"How sad, Douglas!" cried Leslie. "Your voice is bitter. Can't he do
something?"
"Not a blooming thing!" answered Douglas. "She has the money. She is their
mother. Her character is unimpeachable. If Minturn went to extremes, the
law would give them to her; she would turn them over to ignorant servants
who would corrupt them, and be well paid for doing it.
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