Part 5 (2/2)
”I imagine he is.”
”What are you going to do with the money?”
”Nothing; I've lost it.”
”Lost it?”
”Yes.”
And Ralph related the particulars of his encounter with Percy Paget, and how the money had disappeared during the fracas.
”It's a tarnal shame, Ralph! Thet air dude ain't worth your twenty-dollar bill nohow!”
”I am sorry he came here. I hope he stays away hereafter.”
”I wouldn't take none of his talk,” grumbled Bob Sanderson, with a shake of his grizzled head. ”I reckon what he said about gettin' you into trouble is all nonsense.”
”I hope it is, for I couldn't afford to lose my place here.”
”Squire Paget isn't so powerful as his son thinks. There are lots of folks in this village gettin' tired of his domineerin' ways.”
”I know he is not as powerful now as he was, but still he is squire, and that counts.”
”Why don't you go on another hunt for the bill? Maybe it has floated away down the lake.”
”I will go out. It will do no harm,” said Ralph.
And neither did it do any good, for a half-hour's search on the lake and along the sh.o.r.e brought nothing of interest to light. The young bridge tender tied his boat up at the foot of the garden, and walked up to the cottage.
Mrs. Nelson had the evening meal all prepared, and the two at once sat down.
”You sent a very profitable visitor to the cottage this morning, Ralph,”
began his mother, as she poured the tea while he cut up the meat.
”You mean Mr. Kelsey?”
”Yes. He came here to get dry, and told me how you had rescued him from the lake. He said you had acted very bravely.”
”It was not much to do. But why do you say he was a profitable visitor, mother? Did he pay you anything for what you did?”
”Yes, he paid me two dollars. I didn't want a cent, but he insisted on it.”
”Then he is certainly rich, mother, for he gave me twenty dollars in addition.”
”Why, Ralph!”
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