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β€œAnd can we be together again, Herbert? You don't know how lonely it is without you.”

β€œPoor mother! How lonesome it must have been! Yes; we can be together again, if you think a thousand dollars a year will pay our expenses.”

β€œA thousand dollars a year!” exclaimed Mrs. Carter, thinking that Herbert was bereft of his senses. β€œIt can't be that your father's invention is worth as much as that?”

β€œMr. Cameron has offered that for half the invention, and I have agreed to sell to him. I supposed you would not object.”

β€œObject? I did not dream of getting one-tenth as much. It seems to me like a dream.”

β€œIt is a happy dream, mother, and a true one. Father little thought what a handsome legacy he was leaving us when he left us that model.”

β€œHow happy it would have made him had he known it before he died! Tell me how it all happened.”

So Herbert had to tell his mother about his fortunate meeting with Mr. Cameron, and what resulted from it.

β€œMr. Cameron is a very honorable man,” he concluded, β€œfor he might easily have offered one-quarter as much, and I should have agreed to it. Now, mother, let me tell you my plans for the future. In the first place, are you willing to leave Wrayburn?”

β€œI am willing to live anywhere if we are together.”

β€œMr. Cameron proposed to me to accept a clerkship in his office, but for the present, I told him, I wished to make up the deficiencies in my education. In the town where he lives there is a flourishing academy. I propose that we move there, and I spend the next two years in study. We shall have a competent income, more than enough to support us, and so I can afford the time.”

β€œI fully approve of your proposal, Herbert. We may sometime lose our money, but a good education never.”

β€œI was sure you would agree with me.”

β€œShall we have any difficulty in finding a house of suitable size?”

β€œI inquired about that. There is a very pretty cottage just vacated, not far from the academy. I find we can have it at a moderate rent. I have already got the refusal of it, and will write at once that we will hire it.”

β€œAnd what shall we do with this house?”

β€œWe won't sell it to Squire Leech at a sacrifice. That is one thing certain. By the way, day after to-morrow is the day for paying the interest.”

β€œYes; I have been troubling myself about it.”

β€œThere is no occasion; I have a hundred dollars in my pocket, given me on account by Mr. Cameron. So the squire is checkmated. But, mother, I have a favor to ask of you.”

β€œWhat is that?”

β€œFor two days keep secret our good fortune.”

β€œWhy, Herbert?”

β€œI want the squire to be deceivedβ€”to think the place is in his grasp, and realize that there is many a slip between the cup and the lip.”

β€œWhat shall I say to the neighbors if they ask why you have got home?”

β€œSay that I am not going back to New Yorkβ€”that I couldn't earn enough there to save anything.”

β€œI will do as you think best, Herbert; but I am afraid that my joy at the good news you have brought will betray me.”

β€œIt will be attributed to your joy in having me back. We'll keep things secret for a day or twoβ€”that's all.”

After supper Herbert walked out. He was popular in the village, and received many cordial greetings. To the inevitable inquiries he replied as he had suggested to his mother.

Presently he met James Leech. He smiled to himself as he saw James advancing to meet him, but assumed a sober, downcast look.

β€œHello, Carter! Have you got back?” said James.

β€œYes.”

β€œGot tired of New York?”

β€œI should like New York well enough, if I could make enough money there.”

β€œThen you're not going back?” asked James, in a tone of satisfaction.

β€œNot at present.”

β€œI thought you'd be coming back,” said James, in a tone of triumph.

β€œWhat made you think so?”

β€œI knew you couldn't get along there.”

β€œI supported myself while I was there.”

β€œBut you didn't make anything over?”

β€œNo.”

β€œThen you might as well be back.”

β€œI don't know. I am not sure of doing that in Wrayburn.”

β€œI don't think I shall stay in Wrayburn long. Father talks of moving to New York,” said James, in a burst of confidence. β€œWhat do you expect to do here?”

β€œDo you think your father would give me work?” asked Herbert, demurely.

β€œI don't know. He might, if you agreed to sell the house.”

β€œWe may, if we can get enough for it.”

β€œYou'll have to, anyway. You must be very poor.”

β€œWe've got a little money.”

β€œWell, I'll mention your case to father. I'm sorry for you, but I knew beforehand you wouldn't succeed in New York.”

Herbert smiled quietly as James walked away.

β€œHe'll be astonished when he hears the truth,” thought he.





CHAPTER XXXVI





CONCLUSION

James repeated to his father what Herbert had told him, and the squire jumped to the conclusion that Herbert and his mother were in his power, and must accede to his demand. He decided to take advantage of their necessities, and allow only three hundred dollars for the house.

He entered the little house with the air of a proprietor.

β€œI suppose you know my errand, Mrs. Carter,” he said pompously.

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