The inquiry¹ was addressed to Peter Cook in front of the hotel in Edgewood Center.

“Yes, sir; he is my stepfather!”

“Indeed! I did not know that my old friend was married again. You say you are his stepson?”

“Yes, sir.”

“He has an own son, about your age, I should judge.”

“That’s Carl! he is a little older than me.”

“Is he at home?”

“No,” answered Peter, pursing up his lips.

“Is he absent at boarding school?”

“No; he’s left home.”

“Indeed!” ejaculated the stranger, in surprise. “How is that?”

“He was awfully² hard to get along with, and didn’t treat mother with any respect. He wanted to have his own way, and, of course, ma couldn’t stand that.”

“I see,” returned the stranger, and he eyed Peter curiously³. “What did his father say to his leaving home?” he asked.

“Oh, he always does as ma wishes.”

“Was Carl willing to leave home?”

“Yes; he said he would rather go than obey ma.”

“I suppose he receives an allowance from his father?”

“No; he wanted one, but ma put her foot down and said he shouldn’t have one.”

“Your mother seems to be a woman of considerable firmness.”

“You bet, she’s firm. She don’t allow no boy to boss her.”

“Really, this boy is a curiosity,” said Reuben Ashcroft to himself. “He doesn’t excel in the amiable⁴ and attractive qualities. He has a sort of brutal⁵ frankness which can’t keep a secret.”

“How did you and Carl get along together?” he asked, aloud.

“We didn’t get along at all. He wanted to boss me, and ma and I wouldn’t have it.”

“So the upshot was that he had to leave the house and you remained?”

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