第17章

THE HOUSEKEEPER SCHEMING

If Mrs.Bradley had been wiser, she would have felt less confident of her nephew's producing a favorable impression upon Mr.Wharton.She resolved to open the subject at the breakfast table``I didn't know, Mr.Wharton,'' she commenced, ``that you intended to engage a reader.''

``Nor did I propose to do so until last evening.''

``I think--you'll excuse me for saying so--that you will find that boy too young to suit you.''

``I don't think so.He reads very clearly and distinctly.''

``If I had known you thought of engaging a reader, I would have asked you to engage my nephew.''

``Indeed, I was not aware that you had a nephew in the city.Is he a boy?''

``No; he is a young man.He was twenty years old last June.''

``Is he unfavorably situated?''

``He has a place as salesman.''

``With what firm?''

``Gilbert & Mack.''

``Why, that is the same firm that employs my young friend.It is a good firm.''

``Perhaps it is, but my poor nephew receives a very small salary.He finds it very hard to get along.''

``Your nephew is young.He will be promoted if he serves his employers well.''

``Thomas would have been glad to read to you in the evening, sir,'' said Mrs.Bradley, commencing the attack.

``But for my present engagement, I might have taken him,'' said Mr.Wharton, politely.

``Have you engaged that boy for any length of time?''

``No; but it is understood that he will stay while I need him, and he continues to suit me.I have a favorable opinion of him.Besides, he needs the pay.

He receives but three dollars a week as a cash-boy, and has a sister to support as well as himself.''

``I am sorry,'' she said in an injured tone.``Ihope you'll excuse my mentioning it, but I took the liberty, having been for twenty years in your employ.''

``To be sure! You were quite right,'' said her employer, kindly.``Perhaps I may be able to do something for your nephew, though not that.Tell him to come and see me some time.''

``Thank you, sir,'' said the housekeeper.

There was one question she wanted to determine, and that was the amount of compensation received by Frank.She did not like to inquire directly from Mr.Wharton, but resolved to gain the information from our hero.Some evenings later she had the opportunity.Mr.Wharton had an engagement, and asked her to tell Frank, when he arrived that he was released from duty.Instead of this she received him in the library herself.

``Probably Mr.Wharton will not be at home this evening,'' she said.``If he does not return in half an hour, you need not wait.''

She took up her work, seated in Mr.Wharton's usual place, and Frank remained ready for duty.

``Mr.Wharton tells me you have a sister,'' she said.

``Yes, ma'am.''

``You must find it hard work to provide for her as well as yourself.''

``I do, or rather I did till I came here.''

``How much does Mr.Wharton pay you?'' she asked, in an indifferent tone.

``Five dollars a week,'' answered Frank.

``You are lucky that you have such a chance,'' she said.

``Yes, ma'am; it is more than I earn, I know, but it is a great help to me.''

``And how much do you get as cash-boy?''

``Three dollars a week.''

``So you actually receive nearly twice as much for a couple of hours in the evening as for the whole day.''

``Yes, ma'am.''

``What a pity Thomas can't have this chance,'' she thought.

When it was nine o'clock, she said:

``You need not wait any longer.Mr.Wharton will not be home in time to hear you read.''

``Good-evening, Mrs.Bradley,'' said Frank.

``Good-evening!'' she responded, coldly.

``That boy is in the way,'' she said to herself, when she was left alone.``He is in my way, and Tom's way.I can see that he is artfully intriguing for Mr.Wharton's favor, but I must checkmate him.

It's odd,'' she resumed, after a pause, ``but there is something in his face and voice that seems familiar to me.What is it?''

*****

The following evening the housekeeper received another visit from her nephew.

``How do, aunt?'' said Thomas Bradley, carelessly, as he entered the housekeeper's room.

``Very well, thank you, Thomas.I am glad you are here.I have been wanting to see you.''

``The old man isn't going to do anything for me, is he?''

``How can you expect it so soon? He doesn't know you yet.How much do you think he pays the cash-boy that reads to him in the evening?''

``I don't know.''

``Five dollars a week.''

``I wouldn't give up my evenings for that,'' he said.

``It isn't so much the pay, Thomas, though that would be a help.He might take a fancy to you.''

``That might pay better.When are you going to introduce me?''

``This evening; that is, I will ask Mr.Wharton if he will see you.''

Mrs.Bradley entered the library, where Frank was engaged in reading aloud.

``Excuse my interruption,'' she said; ``but my nephew has just called, and I should like to introduce him to you, if you will kindly receive him.''

``Certainly, Mrs.Bradley,'' said Mr.Wharton.

``Bring him in.''