Part 23 (2/2)
”That's a good idea,” he said.
”What puzzles me,” continued Harry, ”is how to explain to mother why I go to the city. I can't tell her, and she'll feel nervous.”
”I can manage that,” said Mr. Wilkins. ”I'll tell her you have gone on business for me.”
”But will it be true?” asked Harry.
”Yes; I've got some cowpons”--that's the way the old man p.r.o.nounced the word--”that you can get the money for.”
”Shall I have any difficulty about it, Uncle Obed?”
”No; you can go to a broker, and he'll give you the money for it, taking out his commission. How much does it cost to go to New York?”
”The price of an excursion ticket is a dollar.”
The old man took from his pocket a two-dollar bill.
”There,” said he; ”that'll pay your ticket and get you some dinner.”
”But, Uncle Obed, you ought not to pay my expenses.”
”Why not? Ain't you going on my business?”
”I'm going princ.i.p.ally on my own,” said Harry.
”Well,” replied the old man, smiling, ”then you must take it because I am your uncle.”
”I know I call you so.”
”You seem a good deal more kin to me than Philip. He's ashamed of his old uncle, and so is his mother; but you are not.
”No, no, Harry; it's all right. I ain't exactly poor, but I'd rather my niece would think so. So don't you say anything to them about the cowpons.”
”I'm not likely to, Uncle Obed.”
The old man went up to his room and brought down ninety dollars' worth of government coupons, which, as gold was then ruling at a dollar and twenty, would bring about a hundred and eight dollars in currency.
Mrs. Gilbert was much surprised when Harry told her that he intended to go to New York the next day on business for Uncle Obed; but, of course, had no idea that he had still more important business of his own.
CHAPTER XIX
SECOND VISIT TO THE WOOD
There was an early train from the neighboring village of Crampton to New York. Harry got up early, and walked the first part of the way through the fields to a point where the footpath struck the main road, three-quarters of a mile from the village.
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