Hector continued his walk downtown. Despite the crowds of persons whothronged the sidewalks, he did not anticipate meeting anyone else thathe knew. But he was destined to another surprise. On the corner ofMurray Street he saw two persons advancing toward him, the last,perhaps, that he expected to see. Not to keep the reader in suspense, itwas Allan Roscoe and his son, Guy.
Guy was the first to recognize Hector. Of course, he, too, wassurprised.
"Why, there's Hector!" he exclaimed, directing his father's attention toour hero.
Allan Roscoe looked up quickly. It is hard to tell whether he felt glador the reverse at this meeting with the boy whom he called his ward.
An instant later Hector recognized Guy and his father.
"How do you do, Mr. Roscoe?" he said, politely.
"Very well. When did you reach New York?"
"On Saturday."
It should have been explained that Hector had spent Sunday quietly withMr. Ross and Walter, and that this was Monday.
"Ahem! I was very much surprised at your leaving the institute," saidMr. Roscoe.
"I explained to you in my letter why I proposed to leave it," Hectoranswered, coldly.
"I did not think your reason sufficient."
"As Mr. Smith saw fit to bring a base charge against me, and persistedin it, even after he must have been convinced that his nephew wasguilty, I was unwilling to remain under his charge any longer."
"The circumstances were against you," said Mr. Roscoe.
"You might have known me better than that, Mr. Roscoe," said Hector,proudly. "Yet you condemned me unheard."
"Of course, I am very glad that the charge is unfounded," said Mr.Roscoe, awkwardly.
"Where there is smoke there is generally fire," said Guy, spitefully.
"I understand you, Guy," said Hector, half turning to look at the boywho had usurped his place. "I hope you won't think it impolite if I saythat I care nothing whatever for your opinion."
"You put on as many airs as ever," sneered Guy. "I should think youwould be a little more humble in your changed position."
"I have not changed, even if my position has," answered Hector. "Moneyis nothing to be proud of."
"I apprehend that the world judges differently," said Allan Roscoe."Since you have taken your destiny into your own hands, you will excuseme for asking how you intend to earn your living?"
"I hope to get a mercantile position," answered Hector.
"Take my advice," said Guy, with a derisive smile, "and buy yourself ablacking box and brush. I am told bootblacks make a good deal of money."
"Hush, Guy!" said his father. "Do not insult Hector."
But Hector concerned himself but little with any slight received fromGuy Roscoe. His words, however, recalled his thoughts to the boy he hadso recently met, Larry Deane, and he resolved to see if he could nothelp him by an appeal to Allan Roscoe.
"Mr. Roscoe," said he, quickly, "I nearly forgot something I want verymuch to say to you."
"What is it?" asked his guardian, suspiciously. It occurred to him thatHector wished to borrow some money, and he was considering how little hecould decently give him.
"I hear you have discharged Reuben Deane from his position?"
"How did you hear it?"
"From his son, Larry."
"Where did you see Larry?" asked Allan, in some curiosity.
"He has been driven to take up that employment which Guy so kindlyrecommended to me."
"Larry Deane a bootblack! That's a good one!" exclaimed Guy, withevident relish.
"I don't think so," said Hector. "The poor boy is picking a poorliving, and sending home what he can to his father, who cannot get newemployment. Mr. Roscoe, why did you discharge him?"
"I can answer that question, though it's none of your business allthe same," volunteered Guy. "The boy Larry was impudent to me, and hisfather took his part."
"Mr. Roscoe," said Hector, "Reuben Deane was in my father's employbefore I was born. Larry and I used to play together when we were littleboys, and since when we were older."
"A bootblack is a nice playmate," said Guy, with his usual sneer.
"He was not a bootblack then," retorted Hector, "nor would he be now butfor your mean spite. Mr. Roscoe, as I happen to know, my father alwaysvalued the services of Reuben Deane, and I ask, in his name, that yougive him back his place."
"My brother may have been deceived in him," said Allan Roscoe, coldly,emphasizing the first two words, in order to remind Hector that he wasno longer to consider him as his father; "but I cannot promise to adoptall his views and protege's. I have displaced Deane and substituted forhim a gardener with whom I am better pleased."
"Have you no sympathy for the poverty and distress of a man who hasserved our family faithfully for so many years?" asked Hector, halfindignantly.
"My father is competent to manage his own affairs," said Guy,offensively.
"You don't appear to think so, or you would not answer for him,"retorted Hector.
"Boys, I must request you to desist from this bickering," said AllanRoscoe. "I am sorry, Hector, that I cannot comply with your request. Bythe way, you did not tell me where you were staying."
"With a gentleman on Forty-second Street."
"What is his name?"
"Andrew Ross."
"Not the eminent merchant of that name?" asked Allan Roscoe, insurprise.
"Yes, I believe so."
"He is worth a million."
"I supposed he was rich. He lives in an elegant house."
"Where did you get acquainted with him, Hector?"
"At Saratoga, a year and a half ago."
"Did you beg him to take you in?" asked Guy, unpleasantly.
Hector quietly ignored the question.
"Walter Boss and I have been very intimate, and I was invited to pay hima visit."
"Does he know that you are a poor boy?" asked Guy.
"I have communicated to Mr. Ross what your father told me," answeredHector, coldly. "He is a real friend, and it made no difference in histreatment of me. I hope to get a situation through his influence."
"You are lucky to have such a man for a friend," said Allan Roscoe, whowould himself have liked to become acquainted with a man whose socialposition was so high. "I hope you will not misrepresent me to him.Should any opportunity occur, I will try to procure you employment."
"Thank you, sir," said Hector, but his tone lacked heartiness. He sawthat his being a visitor to Mr. Ross and his son had made a differencein his favor. Guy, too, began to think he might be a little moregracious. He, like his father, liked to associate with boys of highsocial position, and he would have liked to be introduced to WalterRoss.
"What is your number?" he asked of Hector, "I don't know but I'll calland see you some time. Is Walter Ross generally at home?"
"Don't put yourself to any inconvenience to call," said Hector,significantly. "Walter and I are generally away in the afternoon."
"Oh, I don't care to call upon you," said Guy, annoyed. "I can have allthe company I want."
"I won't detain you any longer, Mr. Roscoe," said Hector, realizing thatthe conversation had occupied considerable time. "Good-morning."
"That boy is as proud as ever," said Guy, after Hector had left them."He doesn't seem to realize that he has lost his money."
"He has not had time to realize it yet. It won't be long before he willunderstand the difference it makes."
"I am glad he isn't my cousin," continued Guy. "I dislike him more thanany boy I know."
Allan Roscoe looked thoughtful.
"I fear that boy will give me trouble yet," he said to himself. "Heevidently suspects that something is wrong."
CHAPTER XXIX. JIM SMITH EFFECTS A LOAN.