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β€œWhen you get it send for me, and I'll help you row.”

β€œVery well,” said James; but he did not answer very positively. In fact, he was by no means sure that his father would comply with his request for money, although it suited him to make this representation to his companions.

Herbert retired early. It had been a fatiguing day for him, and it would be necessary to rise in good season the next day, as the coach left Randolph for Wrayburn at an early hour.





CHAPTER VIII HERBERT'S RETURN

Mrs. Carter awaited Herbert's return with interest. She felt lonely without him, for he had never before been away from home to stay overnight. But there was a feeling of anticipation besides. Her hopes of a legacy were not very strong, but of course there was a possibility of her uncle's having remembered them in his will.

β€œEven if it is only five dollars, it will be welcome,” she thought. β€œWhere people are so poor as we are, every little helps.”

She sat at her sewing when the stage stopped before the door.

β€œI'm glad he rode home,” thought the widow; β€œthe walk both ways would have been too fatiguing.”

β€œBut why does not Herbert come in at once?”

He had gone behind the coach, and the driver was helping him take down a trunk.

β€œWhere did he get it?” thought his mother, in surprise.

β€œI guess you can get it into the house yourself,” she heard the driver say.

β€œYes, I'll manage it; you needn't wait,” said Herbert.

The driver cracked his whip, and the lumbering old coach drove on.

β€œOh, there you are, mother,” said Herbert, looking toward the house for the first time. β€œI'll be with you in a minute.”

And he began to draw the trunk in through the front gate.

β€œWhere did you get that trunk, Herbert?” asked Mrs. Carter.

β€œOh, it's my legacy,” said Herbert, laughing. β€œHere it is,” and he lifted it up, and laid it down in the front entry.

β€œWhat is inside?” asked his mother, with natural curiosity.

β€œIt isn't full of gold and silver, mother, so don't raise your expectations too high. It contains some clothes of Uncle Herbert, out of which you can get some for me.”

β€œI am glad of that, for you need some new clothes. Well, we were not forgotten, after all.”

β€œYou don't seem disappointed, mother.”

β€œI might have wished for a little money besides, Herbert; but beggars cannot be choosers.”

β€œBut sometimes they get what they wish for. Uncle Herbert left you a legacy of a hundred dollars.”

β€œA hundred dollars!” said Mrs. Carter, brightly. β€œWhy, that will be quite a help for us. Was it left to me?”

β€œYes, to you.”

β€œIt was kind in your uncle. My legacy is more than yours, Herbert.”

β€œI don't know about that, mother; look here!”

And Herbert displayed his gold and silver.

β€œHere are fifty-two dollars that I found in the pocket of a vest. It belongs to me, for the will says expressly that I am to have the trunk and all it contains.”

β€œI am really glad,” said his mother, joyfully. β€œWe are more fortunate than I expected. Sit down and tell me all about it. Who got the bulk of the property?”

β€œNone of the relations. It is bequeathed to the town of Randolph, to found a high school, to be called the Carter School.”

β€œWell, it will do good, at any rate. Didn't the other relations receive legacies?”

β€œSmall ones; but they didn't seem very well satisfied. Do you know Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Pinkerton?”

β€œSlightly,” said Mrs. Carter, smiling. β€œWere they there?”

β€œShe was, and he was in attendance upon her. She didn't give him a chance to say much.”

β€œI have always heard she kept him in good subjection. How did they fare?”

β€œThey and their two children received a hundred dollars apiece. She was mad and wanted to break the will. Then there was a Mr. Granger, a farmer, who got the same; and Cornelius Dixon, also.”

β€œI hope Aunt Nancy fared better. She is the best of them all.”

β€œShe is allowed to occupy the house, rent free, and is to have an income of two hundred dollars a year as long as she lives.”

β€œI am really glad to hear it,” said Mrs. Carter, with emphasis. β€œShe deserves all her good fortune. One of the best things her brother did in life was to allow her such an income as to keep her independent of public charity; I feared he would forget to provide for her.”

β€œShe seems a good old lady. She asked me to invite you to call and see her.”

β€œI should like to do so, and if I ever have occasion to go to Randolph I will certainly do so.”

β€œNow, mother,” said Herbert, when he had answered his mother's questions, β€œI want you to take this money, and use it as you need.”

β€œBut, Herbert, it was left to you.”

β€œAnd if you use it I shall receive my share of it. By the way, your money will be sent you next week; so Mr. Spencer assured me.”

β€œWho is Mr. Spencer?”

β€œThe lawyer who read the will. He was very kind to me. It was at his house I spent the night. I got acquainted with his son, Tom, a fine fellow. I met also James Leech, whom I cannot compliment so highly. He was visiting Tom.”

β€œI never thought him an agreeable boy.”

β€œNor anyone else, I expect. He appears to think he can put on airs, and expects everybody to bow down to him because his father is a rich man.”

β€œI hope you didn't quarrel with him,” said Mrs. Carter, apprehensively.

β€œOh, no, he sneered at me, as usual, and drew a ridiculous picture of my appearance with my uncle's clothes on.”

β€œDo you mind what he says?” asked his mother, anxiously.

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