Part 93 (1/2)
The old gentleman's face lit up.
”You have? Found Phrony, have you? I am so glad. It will give old Rawson a new lease of life. I saw him after he got back. He has failed a good deal lately.”
”No, sir. I have found her, too; but I mean I have won out at last.”
”Ah, you have won her? I congratulate you. I hope she will make you happy.”
Keith laughed.
”I don't mean that. I mean I have sold my lands at last. I closed this morning with the Englishmen, and received the money.”
The General smiled.
”Ah, you have, have you? That's very good. I am glad for old Adam Rawson's sake.”
”I was afraid he would die before the deeds pa.s.sed,” said Keith. ”But see, here are the drafts to my order.” He spread them out. ”This one is my commission. And I have the same amount of common stock.”
His father made no comment on this, but presently said: ”You will have enough to restore the old place a little.”
”How much would it cost to fix up the place as you think it ought to be fixed up?”
”Oh, some thousands of dollars. You see, the house is much out of repair, and the quarters ought really all to be rebuilt. Old Charlotte's house I have kept in repair, and Richard now sleeps in the house, as he has gotten so rheumatic. I should think five or six thousand dollars might do it.”
”I can certainly spare that much,” said Keith, laughing.
”How is Norman?” asked the General.
Keith was conscious of a feeling of discontent. His countenance fell.
”Why, I don't know. I don't see much of him these days.”
”Ah! I want to go to see him.”
”The fact is, we have--er--had--. There has been an unfortunate misunderstanding between us. No one regrets it more than I; but I think I can say it was not at all my fault, and I have done all and more than was required of me.”
”Ah, I am very sorry for that. It's a pity--a pity!” said the old General. ”What was it about?”
”Well, I don't care to talk about it, sir. But I can a.s.sure you, I was not in the least to blame. It was caused mainly, I believe, by that fellow, Wickersham.”
”He's a scoundrel!” said the General, with sudden vehemence.
”He is, sir!”
”I will go and see Norman. I see by the papers he is in some trouble.”
”I fear he is, sir. His bank has been declining.”
”Perhaps you can help him?” His face lit up. ”You remember, he once wrote you--a long time ago?”
”I remember; I have repaid that,” said Keith, quickly. ”He has treated me very badly.” He gave a brief account of the trouble between them.
The old General leant back and looked at his son intently. His face was very grave and showed that he was reflecting deeply.