"Let me know how you are getting on," said the old gentleman.

 

Gerald briefly¹ recounted what had passed.

 

"So your stepmother wishes you to remain with Mr. Tubbs?" said Mr. Nugent.

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"And you object?"

 

"I don't care to remain with a man who doubts my honesty."

 

John Nugent smiled.

 

"Would you prefer me as an employer to Mr. Tubbs?" he asked, after a pause.

 

"Very much," answered Gerald, brightening up.

 

He wondered, however, what Mr. Nugent could have for him to do. There seemed no chance in his establishment for a boy like himself unless Mr. Nugent needed some one to work for him. Gerald was willing to do this, though he would have preferred some out-of-door employment.

 

"Perhaps you wish me to do some writing?" he suggested, in a tone of inquiry².

 

"No, I may wish to send you on a journey. Would you object to that?"

 

"No, sir; I should be delighted to have the chance to travel."

 

"So I supposed," said Mr. Nugent, with a benevolent³ smile. "Most young people enjoy that."

 

"Am I to go with you, sir?"

 

"No. I am not a good traveler. A cold, which I should be very apt to contract, would be likely to bring on my old enemy, rheumatism⁴. At my age a man prefers to linger by his own fireside. You are not afraid of rheumatism?" he added, in a jocular tone.

 

"No, sir."

 

After a pause Mr. Nugent resumed:

 

"Two days ago I received a letter from Montana, from a man I supposed to be dead.

 

"The contents took me very much by surprise. I will read you the letter, and this will prepare the way for the proposal I will make you."

分享到：