"Morning," muttered Tom.
"This is Thomas Stanton, your fellow-clerk," said Mr. Pratt, the bookkeeper. "I believe you have not been introduced."
"Now for it," thought Tom.
But rather to his surprise, Herbert made no demonstration, but merely bowed slightly.
"What does it mean?" thought Tom, a little perplexed. "Is it possible that he is not my cousin, after all?"
"I think you came from Ohio?" inquired Tom, impelled by his curiosity to ask the question.
"Yes," said Herbert.
"Why didn"t you stay there? Couldn"t you make a living there?" asked Tom, not over-politely.
"Probably I might," said Herbert, quietly.
"Then I think you should have stayed there."
"Which do you like best, the city or the country?" asked our hero.
"The city."
"So do I."
"But there"s a difference. I have always lived in the city."
"I suppose boys often do come from the country to the city," said Herbert. "Was your father born in the city?"
"No," said Tom, glancing keenly at Herbert, to see if he meant anything by the question.
"Then it seems he must have preferred the city to the country."
Tom had his share of curiosity. He knew that it would be better not to pursue this subject further if he wished his cousin to remain ignorant of the relationship between them. Still, he was anxious to know what Herbert"s actual knowledge was, and whether he would be likely to avail himself of it. He was therefore tempted to say, "I suppose you have no relations in the city?"
"What makes you think I haven"t?" asked Herbert, looking at Tom rather peculiarly.
"I don"t think anything about it. I only asked," said Tom, a. little confused.
"Yes, I have an uncle in the city," said Herbert, quietly.
"Oh, indeed," said Tom.
He said nothing more, for he felt that he might betray his knowledge of the relationship unintentionally. Herbert"s manner left him as much in the dark as ever.
Mr. Pratt set Herbert to work on some writing, and Tom, also, was soon busy. After a while Mr. G.o.dfrey came in.
"Good-morning, Herbert," he said, pleasantly, offering his hand. "So Mr.
Pratt has set you to work, has he?"
"Yes, sir."
"I think we shall find enough for him to do, eh, Mr. Pratt?"
"Yes, sir, I think so," said the bookkeeper, who perceived that Herbert was in favor, and it was as well to fall in with his employer.
"That"s well. How do you like your boarding place, Herbert?"
"It isn"t a very nice one, sir, but it is as good a one as I have a right to expect for the money I pay."
"Come round and dine with us to-night," said the merchant. "Mrs. G.o.dfrey will be glad to see you. I"ll give you my street and number."
"Thank you, sir," said Herbert. "I shall be glad to accept your kind invitation."
Tom listened to this invitation with envy. Mr. G.o.dfrey occupied a high social position. Moreover, he had a pretty daughter, whom he, Tom, had met at dancing school, and he would have been very glad to receive the invitation which had been extended to "that beggar, Herbert," as he mentally styled him.
CHAPTER XXVII
AT THE CONCERT
Herbert felt a little diffident about accepting his employer"s invitation to dinner. Brought up in the country in comparative poverty, he felt afraid that he should show, in some way, his want of acquaintance with the etiquette of the dining table. But he had a better than ordinary education, and, having read diligently whatever books he could get hold of, possessed a fund of general information which enabled him to converse intelligently. Then his modest self-possession was of value to him, and enabled him to acquit himself very creditably.
Julia G.o.dfrey, the merchant"s only daughter, was a lively and animated girl, a year or two younger than Herbert. She had been the belle of the dancing school, and Tom Stanton, among other boys, had always been proud to have her for a partner. She, however, had taken no particular fancy to Tom, whose evident satisfaction with himself naturally provoked criticisms on the part of others. Of this, however, Tom was unconscious, and flattered himself that his personal appearance was strikingly attractive, and was quite convinced that his elaborate and gorgeous neckties must attract admiration.
Julia awaited the advent of her father"s young guest with interest, and her verdict was favorable. He was, to be sure, very plainly dressed, but his frank and open face and pleasant expression did not need fine clothes to set them off. Julia at once commenced an animated conversation with our hero.
"Weren"t you frightened when you saw the robber?" she asked, for her father had told her of Herbert"s adventure with the burglar.
"No," said Herbert, "I did not feel afraid."
"How brave you must be?" said Julia, with evident admiration.
"There was no need of my being frightened," said Herbert, modestly. "I was expecting him."
"I know I should have been frightened to death," said Julia, decidedly.
"You are a girl, you know," said Herbert. "I suppose it is natural for girls to be timid."
"I don"t know but it is, but I am sure it is not natural to all boys to be brave."
Herbert smiled.
"I was out in the country, one day, walking with Frank Percy," proceeded Julia, "when a big, ugly-looking dog met us. Frank, instead of standing by, and defending me, ran away as fast as his feet could carry him. I laughed at him so much about it that he doesn"t like to come near me since that."
"How did you escape?" asked Herbert, with interest.