Part 8 (1/2)
Mrs. Ismond scanned the legal doc.u.ment with a pale and troubled face.
Frank affected unconcern and indifference.
”Don't let that worry you, mother,” he said, leading her back into the house.
”But, Frank, he can put us out!”
”If we stay to let him, probably. The law he has invoked to rob us, may also enable him to evict us, mother, but he won't win in the end. You say you dislike the place. Very well, we will move.”
”But where to, Frank?”
”This isn't the only house in Greenville, is it, mother?” asked Frank, smiling rea.s.suringly. ”What's more, Greenville isn't the only town in creation. Stop your fretting, now. I've got a grand plan, and I am sure to carry it out. Just leave everything to me. My head is just bursting with all the ideas that interesting balloonist has put into it. Why, mother, if I can only get a start, if I can get hold of a few novelties and do a little advertising--”
”Oh, Frank, it takes money to do all that!”
”And brains. Mostly brains and industry, Mr. Gregson says. Mother, now or soon, here, at Greenville or somewhere else, I am determined to give the mail order idea a trial.”
”Mail order, Frank?”
”Capital! excellent!” cried Frank with enthusiasm. ”Why, mother, you have suggested the very catchy name. I will use to advertise by--'Mail Order Frank'!”
CHAPTER VII
STRICTLY BUSINESS
The balloonist, Park Gregson, needed rest after his strenuous experience of the previous day, so Frank did not disturb him. He and his mother had their breakfast together, then Frank started out on his usual daily round of duties.
He did his ch.o.r.es about the house. Then he went down to the eight o'clock train to get a bundle of daily newspapers from the city. These he delivered to his regular customers. At nine o'clock he went to the office of Mr. Beach, the lawyer.
Frank was informed by the attorney's clerk that Mr. Beach had left Greenville to see a distant client. He would not be back for two days.
”I need somebody's advice about this five-day notice of Mr. Dorsett,”
reflected Frank, and proceeded to visit the insurance man, Mr. Buckner.
”Good!” exclaimed the latter briskly, as Frank put in an appearance, ”I was just about to send for you.”
”To send for me?” repeated Frank.
”Yes, I told you that you might expect some further business commissions from me, you remember?”
”Yes, Mr. Buckner.”
”Well, they have materialized. Can you give me your time unrestrictedly for a week or ten days?”
”Why--yes, I think so,” answered Frank, but somewhat slowly, for he thought of their family complications.
Mr. Buckner was a keen-witted man. He read something under the surface in Frank's hesitancy.
”Something troubling you, Frank?” he suggested.