THE LARKINS ARE IN LUCK
Luke and his mother, accompanied by Roland Reed, took their way from
the court-room to the widow's modest cottage.
"You may take the tin box, Luke," said the stranger, "if you are not
afraid to keep in your charge what has given you so much trouble."
"All's well that ends well!" said Luke.
"Yes; I don't think it will occasion you any further anxiety."
Roland Reed walked in advance with Mrs. Larkin, leaving Luke
to follow.
"What sort of a man is this Mr. Duncan?" he asked abruptly.
"Squire Duncan?"
"Yes, if that is his title."
"He is, upon the whole, our foremost citizen," answered the
widow, after a slight hesitation.
"Is he popular?"
"I can hardly say that."
"He is president of the bank, is he not?"
"Yes."
"How long has he lived in Groveton?"
"Nearly twenty years."
"Was he born in this neighborhood?"
"I think he came from the West."
"Does he say from what part of the western country?"
"He says very little about his past life."
Roland Reed smiled significantly.
"Perhaps he has his reasons," he said meditatively.
"Is he thought to be rich?" he asked, after a pause.
"Yes, but how rich no one knows. He is taxed for his house and
grounds, but he may have a good deal of property besides. It is
generally thought he has."
"He does not appear to be friendly toward your son."
"No," answered Mrs. Larkin, with a trace of indignation, "though
I am sure he has no cause to dislike him. He seemed convinced
that Luke had come by your tin box dishonestly."
"It seemed to me that he was prejudiced against Luke. How do you
account for it?"
"Perhaps his son, Randolph, has influenced him."
"So he has a son--how old?"
"Almost Luke's age. He thinks Luke beneath him, though why he should
do so, except that Luke is poor, I can't understand. Not long since
there was a skating match for a prize of a Waterbury watch, offered
by the grammar-school teacher, which Luke would have won had not
Randolph arranged with another boy to get in his way and leave the
victory to him."
"So Randolph won the watch?"
"Yes."
"I suppose he had a watch of his own already."
"Yes, a silver one, while Luke had none. This makes it meaner
in him."
"I don't mind it now, mother," said Luke, who had overheard the last
part of the conversation. "He is welcome to his watches--I can wait."
"Has Squire Duncan shown his hostility to Luke in any other way?"
inquired the stranger.
"Yes; Luke has for over a year been janitor at the school-house.
It didn't bring much--only a dollar a week--but it was considerable
to us. Lately Squire Duncan was appointed on the school committee
to fill a vacancy, and his first act was to remove Luke from his
position."
"Not in favor of his son, I conclude."
Luke laughed.
"Randolph would be shocked at the mere supposition," he said. "He is
a young man who wears kid gloves, and the duties of a school janitor
he would look upon as degrading."
"I really think, Luke, you have been badly treated," said Roland
Reed, with a friendly smile.
"I have thought so, too, sir, but I suppose I have no better claim
to the office than any other boy."
"You needed the income, however."
"Yes, sir."
By this time they were at the door of the cottage.
"Won't you come in, sir?" asked Mrs. Larkin, cordially.
"Thank you. I will not only do so, but as I don't care to stay at
the hotel, I will even crave leave to pass the night under your
roof."
"If you don't mind our poor accommodations, you will be
very welcome."
"I am not likely to complain, Mrs. Larkin. I have not been nursed
in the lap of luxury. For two years I was a California miner, and
camped out. For that long period I did not know what it was to sleep
in a bed. I used to stretch myself in a blanket, and lie down on the
ground."
"You won't have to do that here, Mr. Reed," said Luke, smiling.
"But it must have been great fun."
"How can you say so, Luke?" expostulated his mother. "It must
have been very uncomfortable, and dangerous to the health."
"I wouldn't mind it a bit, mother," said Luke, stoutly.
Roland Reed smiled.
"I am not surprised that you and your mother regard the matter from
different points of view," he said. "It is only natural. Women are
not adapted to roughing it. Boys like nothing better, and so with
young men. But there comes a time--when a man passes forty--when he
sets a higher value on the comforts of life. I don't mind confessing
that I wouldn't care to repeat my old mining experiences."
"I hope you were repaid for your trouble and privations, sir."
"Yes, I was handsomely repaid. I may soon be as rich as your local
magnate, Prince Duncan, but I have had to work harder for it,
probably."
"So you know the squire's name?" said Mrs. Larkin, in some surprise.
"I must have heard it somewhere," remarked Roland Reed.
"Have I got it right?"
"Yes; it's a peculiar name."
When they reached the cottage Mrs. Larkin set about getting supper.
In honor of her guest she sent out for some steak, and baked some
biscuit, so that the table presented an inviting appearance when
the three sat down to it. After supper was over, Roland Reed said:
"I told you that I wished to speak to you on business, Mrs. Larkin.
It is briefly this: Are you willing to receive a boarder?"
"I am afraid, sir, that you would hardly be satisfied with our
humble accommodations."
"Oh, I am not speaking of myself, but of a child. I am a widower,
Mrs. Larkin, and have a little daughter eight years of age. She is
now boarding in New York, but I do not like the people with whom
I have placed her. She is rather delicate, also, and I think a
country town would suit her better than the city air. I should like
to have her under just such nice motherly care as I am sure you
would give her."
"I shall be very glad to receive her," said Mrs. Larkin, with
a flush of pleasure.
"And for the terms?"
"I would rather you would name them, sir."
"Then I will say ten dollars a week."
"Ten dollars!" exclaimed the widow, in amazement. "It won't be
worth half that."
"I don't pay for board merely, but for care and attendance as well.
She may be sick, and that would increase your trouble."
"She would in that case receive as much care as if she were my
own daughter; but I don't ask such an exorbitant rate of board."
"It isn't exorbitant if I choose to pay it, Mrs. Larkin," said
Mr. Reed, smiling. "I am entirely able to pay that price, and
prefer to do so."
"It will make me feel quite rich, sir," said the widow, gratefully.
"I shall find it useful, especially as Luke has lost his situation."
"Luke may find another position."
"When do you wish your daughter to come?" asked Mrs. Larkin.
"Luke will accompany me to the city to-morrow, and bring her
back with him. By the way, I will pay you four weeks in advance."
He drew four ten-dollar bills from his pocket and put them
into the widow's hand.
"I am almost afraid this is a dream," said Mrs. Larkin.
"You have made me very happy."
"You mustn't become purse-proud, mother," said Luke, "because
you have become suddenly rich."
"Can you be ready to take the first train to New York with
me in the morning, Luke?" asked Roland Reed.
"Yes, sir; it starts at half-past seven."
"Your breakfast will be ready on time," said the widow,
"and Luke will call you."