CHAPTER XXIII. WHAT THE LETTER CONTAINED.

 THE letter, which was directed in a bold hand to Robert Rudd, care of Dr. Grey, ran thus:

"Robert Rudd: I understand that you have left the circus on account of the accident you met with recently, and I presume that you have not yet found anything else to do. I chanced to be at Crampton and saw you perform, and was favorably impressed by your appearance. I am about to make a journey to the West, and need the services of a boy or young man to assist me in writing and serve me in other ways, and I feel disposed to employ you, if you would like to accept the engagement. I cannot offer you as high pay as you probably received at the circus, but am ready to pay your travelling expenses and pay you five dollars per week.

"Be kind enough to let me know at once whether you will accept my offer, or rather, if you are favorably disposed, come at once to New York and call upon me at the St. Nicholas Hotel. You189 will find me in room No. 35. I would suggest that the sooner you can come to me the better.

"Yours truly,??

"John Fitzgerald."

Robert read this letter with mingled¹ surprise and gratification. It was pleasant to think he would soon be employed and earning his own livelihood², and he could have thought of no engagement more likely to suit him.

"What is your letter about, Robert?" asked Sidney.

"Read it for yourself, Sidney," said Robert, passing it to him. "What do you think of it?" he asked, later.

"I think it is a splendid chance. I wouldn't mind having such an offer myself."

"I think I am in luck," said Robert, complacently³.

"Then you mean to accept it?"

"Certainly; I should be very foolish if I did not. I have been wondering what I could get to do, and this comes just in the nick of time."

"I am almost sorry the offer has come to you, Robert. I had been expecting you would stay with me a considerable time."

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"I should be sure to enjoy it if I was willing to be idle, but I have an independent spirit, and I prefer to earn my own living. I will come back and visit you some time if you will let me."

"Let you! I shall quarrel with you if you don't. Perhaps, however, you would prefer to visit Ronald Percy."

"I will wait at any rate till I receive an invitation," answered Robert, smiling, for he did not feel in the least sensitive about the malicious⁴ contempt which Ronald professed⁵ to feel for him.

"When will you start, Robert?"

"To-morrow morning. Mr. Fitzgerald seems to be in a hurry, and there is no good reason for delay. My foot is well enough for all ordinary use, though it would give out if I should attempt riding."

When Dr. Grey was shown the letter Robert had received, he looked puzzled.

"Certainly the chance seems to be a good one," he said, "and doubtless it will be well to accept it. It is certainly a remarkable⁶ piece of luck."

"So I consider it," said Robert.

"I mean, that it is like the events in a story that you should have such a chance offer from an191 absolute stranger, just as you stand in need of it. I should like to see this Mr. Fitzgerald," he continued, thoughtfully.

"I think I heard that there was a man of that name staying at the hotel about a week since," said Sidney.

"He says he was present when Robert met with his accident."

"Then it is probably the same one. Then you have decided⁷ to accept, my boy?"

"Yes, sir; I shall go to New York to-morrow."

"It may be as well. But one thing I want to say: if the engagement doesn't prove satisfactory, or you are ever again thrown upon your own resources, come back to us and you will have a cordial welcome."

"Yes, Rob, you may be sure of that," said Sidney, eagerly.

"You are both very kind to me," returned Robert, gratefully, "and I will take you at your word. By the way, Dr. Grey, I want to ask you a favor."

"It is granted as soon as asked, my boy."

"It is only to keep the two hundred dollars I have saved up for the present. It will be safer in192 your hands than mine, and I shan't need it, as all my expenses are to be paid by my new employer, and five dollars a week besides."

"I will keep it for you if you desire."

"Thank you; if I had it I might have it stolen from me, and besides it would make me uncomfortable to feel that I had so much money about me."

"I see you are prudent⁸. I have one good reason for keeping it, as you will one day come back and reclaim⁹ it."

The next morning Robert started for New York.

1 mingled   

混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系]

参考例句：

• The sounds of laughter and singing mingled in the evening air. 笑声和歌声交织在夜空中。
• The man and the woman mingled as everyone started to relax. 当大家开始放松的时候，这一男一女就开始交往了。

2 livelihood   

n.生计，谋生之道

参考例句：

• Appropriate arrangements will be made for their work and livelihood.他们的工作和生活会得到妥善安排。
• My father gained a bare livelihood of family by his own hands.父亲靠自己的双手勉强维持家计。

3 complacently   

adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地

参考例句：

• He complacently lived out his life as a village school teacher. 他满足于一个乡村教师的生活。
• "That was just something for evening wear," returned his wife complacently. “那套衣服是晚装，"他妻子心安理得地说道。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

4 malicious   

adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的

参考例句：

• You ought to kick back at such malicious slander. 你应当反击这种恶毒的污蔑。
• Their talk was slightly malicious.他们的谈话有点儿心怀不轨。

5 professed   

公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的

参考例句：

• These, at least, were their professed reasons for pulling out of the deal. 至少这些是他们自称退出这宗交易的理由。
• Her manner professed a gaiety that she did not feel. 她的神态显出一种她并未实际感受到的快乐。

6 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

7 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。

8 prudent   

adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的

参考例句：

• A prudent traveller never disparages his own country.聪明的旅行者从不贬低自己的国家。
• You must school yourself to be modest and prudent.你要学会谦虚谨慎。

9 reclaim   

v.要求归还，收回；开垦

参考例句：

• I have tried to reclaim my money without success.我没能把钱取回来。
• You must present this ticket when you reclaim your luggage.当你要取回行李时，必须出示这张票子。