The situation was unpleasant, and he was impatient to have Mr. Tarbox undeceived. He was sure that Pliny would lose no time in revealing his true position, and decided¹ not to return to the house of Mr. Tarbox till nine o'clock, when the story would have been told.

 

He wandered about aimlessly till he heard the city clocks strike nine, and then rang the bell at his relation's house.

 

The family, with the exception of the two younger children, were assembled in the common sitting room.

 

As Frank entered, instead of the cordial welcome he had previously² received, he noticed a look of coldness and constraint³ on the faces of Mr. and Mrs. Tarbox, while Pliny looked as if some stupendous joke was being perpetrated.

 

"Good-evening!" said Frank, politely. "I have been taking a walk."

 

"My son Pliny tells me," said Mr. Tarbox, "that you have not inherited your mother's property."

 

Frank bowed.

 

"And that it has gone to your stepfather."

 

"It seems so."

 

"I am amazed."

 

"So was I, sir."

 

"Your mother has practically disinherited you?"

 

"It was not my mother, sir," said Frank, hastily. "I can't explain it, but I'm sure she would not will away everything from me."

 

"Do you suspect your stepfather of anything irregular?" asked Mr. Tarbox, briskly.

 

"I would rather not answer your question, sir. I don't care to make any charges which I cannot prove."

 

"And so Mr. Manning has sent you out into the world to earn your own living, has he?"

 

"No, sir. He has consented that I may do so. It was my own plan."

 

Much as Frank was prejudiced against his stepfather, his natural sense of justice would not allow him to accuse him unjustly.

 

"Did he suggest that you should come to me?" asked Mr. Tarbox, in a tone which Frank did not like.

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