Part 4 (2/2)
”I suppose the secret is not to be divulged to me.”
”No, sir.”
Captain Sedley was not a little perplexed by what he had heard. The proposed excursion had been the topic of conversation for the last fortnight, and Charles and Frank had both manifested the liveliest interest in it. And now that the whole scheme had been abandoned, the antic.i.p.ated pleasure voluntarily resigned, was strange and incomprehensible. At first he was disposed to believe some more agreeable plan of spending the day had been devised, and it seemed questionable to him whether the plan which must be kept secret could meet his approbation.
”It was Frank's notion, Mr. Sedley,” added Charles.
”And you have promised not to tell me?”
”Oh, no, sir! I don't know that Frank would like it if I should do so, though I can't see what harm it would do.”
”Of course you must do as you think proper,” replied Captain Sedley. ”I don't wish you to betray Frank's confidence, unless you think he is doing wrong.”
”Nothing wrong, sir.”
”Then, why should it be kept secret?”
”I do not know of any reason why it should be. You won't tell Frank if I let the cat out of the bag?” said Charles with a kind of forced laugh.
”Certainly not, if you wish it.”
”Well, then, we are not going because we have no money to spend.”
”No money! Why, I gave Frank three dollars towards it no longer ago than yesterday, and he had some money before that,” replied Captain Sedley, not a little alarmed at the revelation.
”Frank had four dollars and seventy-five cents, and I had two dollars and twenty-five cents, which made seven dollars between us.”
”What have you done with it?” asked the kind father, fearful lest his son had been doing wrong.
”Last night we concluded to give our money to the widow Weston, instead of spending it for candy and crackers, and to stay at home instead of going to Boston.”
An expression of pleasure lighted up the features of the devoted father. The confession of Charles was a great relief to him.
”Well done, boys!” exclaimed he. ”That was n.o.ble and generous;” and involuntarily he thrust his hand into his pocket, and drew forth his purse.
”Frank proposed it,” said Charles, a gleam of satisfaction lighting up his eye as he beheld the purse.
Captain Sedley held it in his hand a moment, looked searchingly at Charles, and then returned it to his pocket.
”It was a n.o.ble deed, Charles; and I had rather hear such a thing of my son than to have all the wealth and honors which the world can give bestowed upon him.”
Charles looked disappointed when he saw Captain Sedley restore his purse to his pocket.
”And Frank means to keep it a secret, does he?” continued the delighted father.
”Yes, sir; till to-morrow.”
”Very well; I will not mention the fact that you have told me about it.”
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