money will be very useful. Besides, it will show
Carl that his father is not wholly indifferent to him."

"Of course not. Who says that I am a bad father?" asked Dr. Crawford,
peevishly.

"I don't think, sir, there would be any difficulty between you and Carl
if you had not married again."

"Carl has no right to vex Mrs. Crawford. Besides, he can't agree with
Peter."

"Is that his fault or Peter's?" asked Gilbert, significantly.

"I am not acquainted with the circumstances, but Mrs. Crawford says that
Carl is always bullying Peter."

"He never bullied anyone at school."

"Is there anything, else you want?"

"Yes, sir; Carl only took away a little underclothing in a gripsack. He
would like his woolen clothes put in his trunk, and to have it sent----"

"Where?"

"Perhaps it had better be sent to my house. There are one or two things
in his room also that he asked me to get."

"Why didn't he come himself?"

"Because he thought it would be unpleasant for him to meet Mrs.
Crawford. They would be sure to quarrel."

"Well, perhaps he is right," said Dr. Crawford, with an air of relief.
"About the allowance, I shall have to consult my wife. Will you come
with me to the house?"

"Yes, sir; I should like to have the matter settled to-day, so that Carl
will know what to depend upon."

Gilbert rather dreaded the interview he was likely to have with Mrs.
Crawford; but he was acting for Carl, and his feelings of friendship
were strong.

So he walked beside Dr. Crawford till they reached the tasteful dwelling
occupied as a residence by Carl and his father.

"How happy Carl could be here, if he had a stepmother like mine,"
Gilbert thought.

They went up to the front door, which was opened for them by a servant.

"Jane, is Mrs. Crawford in?" asked the doctor.

"No, sir; not just now. She went to the village to do some shopping."

"Is Peter in?"

"No, sir."

"Then you will have to wait till they return."

"Can't I go up to Carl's room and be packing his things?"

"Yes, I think you may. I don't think Mrs. Crawford would object."

"Good heavens! Hasn't the man a mind of his own?" thought Gilbert.

"Jane, you may show this young gentleman up to Master Carl's room, and
give him the key of his trunk. He is going to pack his clothes."

"When is Master Carl coming back?" asked Jane.

"I--I don't know. I think he will be away for a time."

"I wish it was Peter instead of him," said Jane, in a low voice, on