Part 8 (1/2)
”Yes, sir; but I shall try hard to get something else soon.”
”You look like an industrious boy.”
”I like to work.”
”Where do you live?”
It so happened that Harry's house could be pointed out across the fields, though at least a quarter of a mile away.
”There it is,” he said, pointing it out; ”but, perhaps, you cannot see so far?”
”Oh, yes, I can see it.”
By this time they had reached the gate of Colonel Ross, and Harry felt that he might safely leave the old man.
Out on the lawn was Philip Ross, who, with surprise and displeasure, saw Harry opening the gate for one whom he mentally designated as an old tramp.
”What do you want here?” he asked, in a tone far from courteous or respectful.
”What is your name?” asked the old man, fixing his glance on the questioner.
”My name is Philip Ross, and I am the son of Colonel Ross,” answered Philip, with an air of consequence.
”Then I am your great-uncle, Philip,” said the old man, surveying his young kinsman with an interest inspired by the feeling of relations.h.i.+p.
”My great-uncle,” repeated Philip, in mingled bewilderment and dismay.
”Yes, Philip, I'm your mother's uncle, come all the way from Illinoy to visit you.”
Harry was amused to see upon the face of his young antagonist a look of stupefaction.
It was a severe blow to Philip, especially in Harry's presence, to be claimed as a kinsman by a shabby, old tramp. It was upon his tongue to express a doubt as to the relations.h.i.+p, but he forbore.
”Is your mother at home?” asked the old man.
”You can ring the bell and see,” answered Philip, deliberately turning his back and walking off.
The old man looked after him, with a shrewd glance of intelligence, but expressed no opinion of him.
”Harry,” he said, turning to his young guide, ”will you come with me to the door and ring the bell?”
Harry complied with his request.
The door was opened by a servant, who, on seeing the old man, said, pertly:
”We've got nothing for the likes of you,” and was about to close the door on the two.
”Stop!” said Harry, in a commanding voice, for he was provoked with the girl's ill manners. ”Tell Mrs. Ross that her uncle is here. I think you'd better invite him in.”
”Well, I never!” said the girl, abashed. ”I hope you'll excuse me, sir.