“It is well to be prudent,” said Rodney, smiling.

It did not trouble him much to think he was not likely to receive a call from his quondan schoolmate.

“Here is the balance of your money, Ropes,” said Dr. Sampson, drawing a small roll of bills from his pocket, later in the day.  “I am quite willing to give you the odd thirty seven cents.”

“Thank you, doctor, but I shan’t need it.”

“You are poorly provided.  Now I would pay you a good sum for some of your mother’s jewelry, as I told you last evening.”

“Thank you,” said Rodney hastily, “but I don’t care to sell at present.”

“Let me know when you are ready to dispose of the necklace.”

Here the depot carriage appeared in the street outside and Rodney with his gripsack in one hand and the precious casket in the other, climbed to a seat beside the driver.

His trunk he left behind, promising to send for it when he had found a new boarding place.

There was a chorus of good byes.  Rodney waved his handkerchief in general farewell, and the carriage started for the depot.

“Be you goin’ for good?” asked Joel, the driver, who knew Rodney well and felt friendly to him.

“Yes, Joel.”

“It’s kind of sudden, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“What makes you go?”

“Bad news, Joel.”

“Be any of your folks dead?”

“It is not death.  I haven’t any ‘folks.’  I’m alone in the world.  It’s because I’ve lost my property and am too poor to remain in school.”

“That’s too bad,” said the driver in a tone of sympathy.  “Where are you goin’?”

“To the city.”

“Are you goin’ to work?”

“Yes, I shall have to.”

“If you was a little older you might get a chance to drive a street car, but I s’pose you’re too young.”

“Yes, I don’t think they would take me.”

“I’ve thought sometimes I should like such a chance myself,” said Joel.  “I’ve got tired of the country.  I should like to live in the city where there’s theaters, and shows, and such like.  Do you know what the drivers on street cars get?”

“No, I never heard.”

“I wish you’d find out and let me know.  You can send the letter to Joel Phipps, Groveton.  Then find out if it’s easy to get such a chance.”

“I will.  I shall be glad to oblige you.”

“You always was obligin’, Rodney.  I’ve asked Jack Bundy to do it—­you know his folks live in the city—­but he never would.  He’s a mighty disagreeable boy.  He never liked you.”

“Didn’t he?”

“No, I surmise he was jealous of you.  He used to say you put on so many airs it made him sick.”

“I don’t think any of the other boys would say that.”

“No, but they could say it of him.  Do you think his father is rich?”

“I have always heard that he was.”

“I hope he’s better about paying his debt than Jack.  I lent him twenty five cents a year ago and I never could get it back.”