CHAPTER XL. CONCLUSION.

 Rupert was walking down Broadway some two months later when he came unexpectedly upon Julian Lorimer.

 

Julian was swinging a light cane¹, and wore a "stunning²" necktie. He glanced superciliously³ at Rupert, and was about to pass without recognition, but curiosity overcame pride, and he called out,

 

"Halloo, Rollins!"

 

"Halloo, Lorimer!" answered Rupert.

 

Julian frowned slightly. It was all very well for him to say "Rollins," but he expected Rupert to say "Mr. Lorimer."

 

"I haven't seen you for some time," he said. "Are you still a bell-boy?"

 

"No."

 

"Got sacked, eh?"

 

"I sacked myself."

 

[Pg 357]

 

"What are you doing, then?"

 

"Going to a commercial school."

 

Julian looked surprised.

 

"Who pays your expenses if you are earning nothing?"

 

"I pay my own bills, thank you."

 

"It's very foolish for you to give up work. You will spend all your money, and what will you do then?"

 

"Perhaps apply to your father for a situation," said Rupert, smiling.

 

"I don't think he needs any cash-boys at present.

 

"Are you working?"

 

"Yes, I am with Ward⁴ & Weston, Wall Street brokers⁵."

 

"I hope you like it."

 

"I do. When I am twenty-one pop will buy me a seat on the brokers' board, and I will go in for myself."

 

"I wish you success, Julian."

 

"You are very kind," said Julian, ironically. "I guess there's no doubt of that. We have a great many influential⁶ friends. I go into the best society," he added, pompously⁷.

 

[Pg 358]

 

"You must enjoy it."

 

"I do. A week from this evening I am to attend a party at the house of Albert Fraser. His father is a rich merchant in the China trade."

 

Rupert's face lighted up with amusement.

 

Albert Fraser was his most intimate friend, being a student at the same commercial college, and he, too, had received an invitation to the party.

 

"Julian will be astonished to see me there," he thought.

 

"Is Albert Fraser a nice fellow?" he asked, demurely⁸.

 

"First class."

 

"I wish you would introduce me to him, Julian."

 

"You!" said Julian, contemptuously. "Didn't you hear me say that his father was a wealthy merchant?"

 

"Yes."

 

"I shouldn't feel at liberty to introduce you," said Julian, haughtily⁹.

 

"Why not?"

 

"Because there is a great difference between a boy in his position and one in yours."

 

[Pg 359]

 

"I don't see why."

 

"Aren't you an ex-bell-boy?"

 

"Yes."

 

"That's enough."

 

"For all that, I think Albert Fraser and I will some time be friends."

 

"You are foolish. Bell-boys and bootblacks don't associate with gentlemen's sons."

 

"Yet I associate with you, Julian."

 

"I look upon you as an humble¹⁰ acquaintance."

 

"Then I suppose I ought to feel complimented by your condescending¹¹ to notice me."

 

"I think I must leave you, as I have an engagement."

 

"Very well. I will meet you at Albert Fraser's party."

 

"I suppose that is meant for a joke. It isn't a very good one."

 

When the evening of the party came, Julian got himself up regardless of expense. He had never before attended a party on Madison Avenue, and he was particular about his appearance.

 

[Pg 360]

 

Entering the house, he was directed to the gentlemen's dressing-room.

 

What was his surprise—it might almost be called dismay—to find Rupert Rollins arranging his toilet before the mirror.

 

"Good evening, Julian!" said Rupert, half turning.

 

"What are you doing here?" demanded Julian abruptly¹².

 

"Getting ready to go down stairs. Shall I wait for you?"

 

"But what calls you to this house, any way?"

 

"An invitation! Didn't I tell you that I would meet you here this evening?"

 

"Do you mean to tell me that you know Albert Fraser?"

 

"Certainly. Shall I wait for you?"

 

"No."

 

Rupert smiled and went down stairs by himself. He was talking with Albert Fraser when Julian entered. The latter half drew back when he saw the two boys together. He had tried to persuade himself that Rupert was an unauthorized intruder.

 

[Pg 361]

 

"Good evening," he said with a ceremonious bow.

 

"Good evening," responded Albert.

 

Rupert bowed slightly, smiling as he did so.

 

"Ha! are you two acquainted?"

 

"Yes," answered Julian superciliously. "I knew Mr. Rollins when he was a bell-boy at the Somerset Hotel."

 

"And I knew Mr. Lorimer years before that, when his father and my father were partners in Buffalo¹³."

 

Albert Fraser looked from one to the other and smiled at Julian's angry confusion.

 

"Rupert," he said, "let me take you up to my sister and introduce you. The grand march will soon begin."

 

"Thank you, Albert."

 

Rupert and Edith Fraser led the march, while Julian followed considerably¹⁴ behind, with a fat, red-headed girl of very limited attractions.

 

It was hard upon poor Julian, and his enjoyment¹⁵ was quite taken away by the social success of his quondam friend Rupert. Rupert, on the other hand, enjoyed himself[Pg 362] immensely, and was treated very graciously by his fair partner.

 

*         *         *         *         *         *         *

 

Six months later Mr. Packard called Rupert aside. He was evidently nervous and ill at ease.

 

"Rupert," he said, "I am going to ask your advice."

 

"If you think my advice worth asking, I shall be glad to give it."

 

"I want you to be plain with me, Rupert Do you think I am too old to be married?"

 

"Certainly not, Mr. Packard."

 

"I am forty-five, and I never was very good-looking."

 

"You are a good, kind-hearted man, and any woman ought to be happy with you. But I didn't know you had made many lady acquaintances."

 

"I haven't, but there is one lady I should like to marry. I may as well come out with it, Rupert. Do you think your mother would marry me? But—I see you look surprised. I suppose I am a great fool."

 

"You mistake me, Mr. Packard. I am[Pg 363] surprised, for the idea never entered my head before."

 

"I suppose you wouldn't like the idea," said Giles Packard nervously¹⁶.

 

"On the contrary, I approve it. Of course I don't know how mother may look upon it."

 

"But you don't object to it?"

 

"No, Mr. Packard, I wish you success."

 

Mrs. Rollins was surprised to receive an offer of marriage from Mr. Packard, but she had learned to know his many good qualities and was grateful to him for his kindness to Rupert, and after a brief time for consideration she gave her consent.

 

There was little change in their way of living, but of course there was an end of pecuniary¹⁷ cares and anxiety for the future.

 

Mr. Packard decided¹⁸ to go into business in New York on his own account. Rupert is his confidential¹⁹ clerk, and has a handsome salary. Mr. Packard's natural shrewdness has made his venture a success from the start He sold out his Colorado cattle ranch²⁰ on very favorable terms to two parties from the East,[Pg 364] and now his time is exclusively employed in his New York business.

 

Some time since the Evening World contained the following announcement:

 

"Mr. Stephen Lorimer, the well-known dry-goods merchant of Third Avenue, is reported in difficulties. A meeting of his creditors²¹ has been called, but so serious are his embarrassments²² that it is doubted whether he will be permitted to go on."

 

This prediction was verified. Mr. Lorimer now occupies a position as salesman in a dry-goods house in Chicago, not being willing to fill such a place in any city where he had been in business for himself, and is obliged to live in a very plain way.

 

There was little sympathy felt for him by those who had been in his employ. He had done nothing to win their favor. But Julian is very discontented. He is working in an office at four dollars a week, and feels that life is not worth living under his altered circumstances.

 

Rupert's real estate has increased largely in value, and he is worth quite a competency in his own right. His young charge, Fred,[Pg 365] has developed a taste for study, and Rupert intends to have him prepare for college.

 

"You ought to have gone to college yourself," said Mr. Packard.

 

"No," answered Rupert. "I am cut out for business. Fred must be the scholar, and I will be the business man."

 

Frank Sylvester, Rupert's first friend, has returned from Europe, and the friendship between them has been renewed. Though Rupert has been so prosperous, he is never ashamed to refer to the time when he was a bell-boy.

 

Nor does he forget his old friends. Recently he met Leslie Waters standing²³ in front of the Coleman House looking seedy and dilapidated.

 

"How is the world using you, Leslie?" he asked.

 

"Badly, my dear boy," answered Leslie, mournfully. "Our company was stranded²⁴ at Pittsburg and I had to walk all the way to New York. The profession isn't what it was."

 

"Then why not leave it? I think I can get you a business position."

 

 

But Leslie Waters was too much enamored of the stage to forsake²⁵ it. When he is in hard luck Rupert always helps him, and he still works on, hoping some day to achieve eminence²⁶. But the prospect²⁷ does not look encouraging.

The End

1 cane   

n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的

参考例句：

• This sugar cane is quite a sweet and juicy.这甘蔗既甜又多汁。
• English schoolmasters used to cane the boys as a punishment.英国小学老师过去常用教鞭打男学生作为惩罚。

2 stunning   

adj.极好的；使人晕倒的

参考例句：

• His plays are distinguished only by their stunning mediocrity.他的戏剧与众不同之处就是平凡得出奇。
• The finished effect was absolutely stunning.完工后的效果非常美。

3 superciliously   

adv.高傲地；傲慢地

参考例句：

• Madame Defarge looked superciliously at the client, and nodded in confirmation. 德伐日太太轻蔑地望了望客人，点头同意。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

4 ward   

n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开

参考例句：

• The hospital has a medical ward and a surgical ward.这家医院有内科病房和外科病房。
• During the evening picnic,I'll carry a torch to ward off the bugs.傍晚野餐时，我要点根火把，抵挡蚊虫。

5 brokers   

n.（股票、外币等）经纪人( broker的名词复数 )；中间人；代理商；（订合同的）中人v.做掮客（或中人等）( broker的第三人称单数 )；作为权力经纪人进行谈判；以中间人等身份安排…

参考例句：

• The firm in question was Alsbery & Co., whiskey brokers. 那家公司叫阿尔斯伯里公司，经销威士忌。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• From time to time a telephone would ring in the brokers' offices. 那两排经纪人房间里不时响着叮令的电话。 来自子夜部分

6 influential   

adj.有影响的，有权势的

参考例句：

• He always tries to get in with the most influential people.他总是试图巴结最有影响的人物。
• He is a very influential man in the government.他在政府中是个很有影响的人物。

7 pompously   

adv.傲慢地，盛大壮观地；大模大样

参考例句：

• He pompously described his achievements. 他很夸耀地描述了自己所取得的成绩。 来自互联网

8 demurely   

adv.装成端庄地，认真地

参考例句：

• "On the forehead, like a good brother,'she answered demurely. "吻前额，像个好哥哥那样，"她故作正经地回答说。 来自飘（部分）
• Punctuation is the way one bats one's eyes, lowers one's voice or blushes demurely. 标点就像人眨眨眼睛，低声细语，或伍犯作态。 来自名作英译部分

9 haughtily   

adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地

参考例句：

• She carries herself haughtily. 她举止傲慢。
• Haughtily, he stalked out onto the second floor where I was standing. 他傲然跨出电梯，走到二楼，我刚好站在那儿。

10 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

11 condescending   

adj.谦逊的,故意屈尊的

参考例句：

• He has a condescending attitude towards women. 他对女性总是居高临下。
• He tends to adopt a condescending manner when talking to young women. 和年轻女子说话时，他喜欢摆出一副高高在上的姿态。

12 abruptly   

adv.突然地，出其不意地

参考例句：

• He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
• I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。

13 buffalo   

n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛

参考例句：

• Asian buffalo isn't as wild as that of America's. 亚洲水牛比美洲水牛温顺些。
• The boots are made of buffalo hide. 这双靴子是由水牛皮制成的。

14 considerably   

adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上

参考例句：

• The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
• The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。

15 enjoyment   

n.乐趣；享有；享用

参考例句：

• Your company adds to the enjoyment of our visit. 有您的陪同，我们这次访问更加愉快了。
• After each joke the old man cackled his enjoyment.每逢讲完一个笑话，这老人就呵呵笑着表示他的高兴。

16 nervously   

adv.神情激动地，不安地

参考例句：

• He bit his lip nervously,trying not to cry.他紧张地咬着唇，努力忍着不哭出来。
• He paced nervously up and down on the platform.他在站台上情绪不安地走来走去。

17 pecuniary   

adj.金钱的；金钱上的

参考例句：

• She denies obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception.她否认通过欺骗手段获得经济利益。
• She is so independent that she refused all pecuniary aid.她很独立，所以拒绝一切金钱上的资助。

18 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

19 confidential   

adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的

参考例句：

• He refused to allow his secretary to handle confidential letters.他不让秘书处理机密文件。
• We have a confidential exchange of views.我们推心置腹地交换意见。

20 ranch   

n.大牧场，大农场

参考例句：

• He went to work on a ranch.他去一个大农场干活。
• The ranch is in the middle of a large plateau.该牧场位于一个辽阔高原的中部。

21 creditors   

n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They agreed to repay their creditors over a period of three years. 他们同意3年内向债主还清欠款。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Creditors could obtain a writ for the arrest of their debtors. 债权人可以获得逮捕债务人的令状。 来自《简明英汉词典》

22 embarrassments   

n.尴尬( embarrassment的名词复数 )；难堪；局促不安；令人难堪或耻辱的事

参考例句：

• But there have been many embarrassments along the way. 但是一路走来已经是窘境不断。 来自互联网
• The embarrassments don't stop there. 让人难受的事情还没完。 来自互联网

23 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

24 stranded   

a.搁浅的，进退两难的

参考例句：

• He was stranded in a strange city without money. 他流落在一个陌生的城市里， 身无分文，一筹莫展。
• I was stranded in the strange town without money or friends. 我困在那陌生的城市，既没有钱，又没有朋友。

25 forsake   

vt.遗弃，抛弃；舍弃，放弃

参考例句：

• She pleaded with her husband not to forsake her.她恳求丈夫不要抛弃她。
• You must forsake your bad habits.你必须革除你的坏习惯。

26 eminence   

n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家

参考例句：

• He is a statesman of great eminence.他是个声名显赫的政治家。
• Many of the pilots were to achieve eminence in the aeronautical world.这些飞行员中很多人将会在航空界声名显赫。

27 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。