“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.”