"I want to speak to you, Gerald," said Richard. "Mr. Tubbs has offered me a place in his store. I don't want to accept it till I learn whether I am depriving you of employment."

 

"No, Dick. I have given Mr. Tubbs notice that I must leave him."

 

"Are you going back to school?"

 

"No; I am offered employment by Mr. Nugent."

 

Richard looked puzzled.

 

"What does he want with a boy?"

 

"I am going to travel for him on business. You mustn't ask particulars, for the business is private."

 

"All right. Then I will accept; but I have told Mr. Tubbs he must pay me four dollars."

 

"What did he say?"

 

"He talked for an hour, but my father backed me up, and he will have to pay it."

 

Mrs. Lane and Abel made various attempts to draw from Gerald the name of the place to which he was going, but he steadfastly³ refused to tell.

 

"I don't know but I shall refuse my consent to your going," said his stepmother.

 

"In that case you will have me at home doing nothing."

 

"I might send you back to Mr. Tubbs."

 

"He has already engaged Richard Childs in my place."

 

"I wish I were going with you," said Abel. "It is awfully⁴ stupid in Portville."

 

"I will bring you home a present, Abel," said Gerald.

 

Abel brightened up. He was naturally an avaricious⁵ boy, and was ready to accept whatever came his way.

 

"Then I hope you'll come back soon," he said.

 

"Thank you!"

 

The train on which Gerald was to be a passenger was to leave Portville at ten o'clock. Gerald had an invitation to breakfast at Mr. Nugent's in order to receive final instructions and to be provided with money.

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