haps I ought not to have said that, Dr Crawford," added Gilbert,
apologetically, "but I dislike that boy very much, and couldn't help
giving him as good as he sent."

"It is all very unpleasant," responded Dr. Crawford, peevishly. "I don't
see why I can't live in peace and tranquility."

"I won't intrude upon you any longer," said Gilbert, "if you will kindly
tell me whether you will consent to make Carl a small weekly allowance."

"I can't say now. I want time to think. Give me your address, and I will
write to Carl in your care."

"Very well, sir."

Gilbert left the house and made arrangements to have Carl's trunk called
for. It accompanied him on the next train to Warren.

CHAPTER VI.

Mrs. CRAWFORD'S LETTER.

"How did you like my stepmother?" asked Carl, when Gilbert returned in
the afternoon.

"She's a daisy!" answered Gilbert, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't
think I ever saw a more disagreeable woman."

"Do you blame me for leaving home?"

"I only wonder you have been able to stay so long. I had a long
conversation with your father."

"Mrs. Crawford has made a different man of him. I should have no trouble
in getting along with him if there was no one to come between us."

"He gave me this for you," said Gilbert, producing the ten-dollar bill.

"Did my stepmother know of his sending it?"

"No; she was opposed to sending your trunk, but your father said
emphatically you should have it."

"I am glad he showed that much spirit."

"I have some hopes that he will make you an allowance of a few dollars a
week."

"That would make me all right, but I don't expect it."

"You will probably hear from your father to-morrow or next day, so you
will have to make yourself contented a little longer."

"I hope you are not very homesick, Mr. Crawford?" said Julia,
coquettishly.

"I would ask nothing better than to stay here permanently," rejoined
Carl, earnestly. "This is a real home. I have met with more kindness
here than in six months at my own home."

"You have one staunch friend at home," said Gilbert.

"You don't allude to Peter?"

"So far as I can judge, he hates you like poison. I mean Jane."

"Yes, Jane is a real friend. She has been in the family for ten years.
She was a favorite with my own mother, and feels an interest in me."

"By the way, your stepmother's charge that you took a wallet containing
money from her drawer has been disproved by Jane. She saw Peter
abstracting the m