will take a walk by
myself.

"Well, don't lose your way. Oh, I wish the store was shut! I want to
tell the old man."

And Pliny laughed again, while our hero walked off in disgust.

CHAPTER XVII

THE WAY OF THE WORLD

Frank felt like an impostor when he discovered that his cordial
reception was wholly owing to the belief that he was his mother's heir.

The situation was unpleasant, and he was impatient to have Mr. Tarbox
undeceived. He was sure that Pliny would lose no time in revealing his
true position, and decided not to return to the house of Mr. Tarbox till
nine o'clock, when the story would have been told.

He wandered about aimlessly till he heard the city clocks strike nine,
and then rang the bell at his relation's house.

The family, with the exception of the two younger children, were
assembled in the common sitting room.

As Frank entered, instead of the cordial welcome he had previously
received, he noticed a look of coldness and constraint on the faces of
Mr. and Mrs. Tarbox, while Pliny looked as if some stupendous joke was
being perpetrated.

"Good-evening!" said Frank, politely. "I have been taking a walk."

"My son Pliny tells me," said Mr. Tarbox, "that you have not inherited
your mother's property."

Frank bowed.

"And that it has gone to your stepfather."

"It seems so."

"I am amazed."

"So was I, sir."

"Your mother has practically disinherited you?"

"It was not my mother, sir," said Frank, hastily. "I can't explain it,
but I'm sure she would not will away everything from me."

"Do you suspect your stepfather of anything irregular?" asked Mr.
Tarbox, briskly.

"I would rather not answer your question, sir. I don't care to make any
charges which I cannot prove."

"And so Mr. Manning has sent you out into the world to earn your own
living, has he?"

"No, sir. He has consented that I may do so. It was my own plan."

Much as Frank was prejudiced against his stepfather, his natural sense
of justice would not allow him to accuse him unjustly.

"Did he suggest that you should come to me?" asked Mr. Tarbox, in a
tone which Frank did not like.

"No, sir."

"So that was your idea, too," continued Mr. Tarbox, with a palpable
sneer.

"Yes, sir," answered Frank. "You are not a very near relative, but the
nearest I know of, and I supposed you would be willing to give me some
advice about the best means of earning my living. I remembered," he
could not help adding,