"You are spending at that rate for your dinners alone. I don't
understand how you can do it."

"I am an old man, Albert. I can't live many years, and I think it
sensible to get as much comfort out of life as possible for my few
remaining years."

"Still----"

"I had a little money, you know, five hundred dollars, and I have
managed to turn it to good account, so that I don't feel quite so
cramped as when I was at Lakeville."

"The old man's been speculating!" thought Albert Marlowe, "and he has
had a stroke of luck; but he's a fool to think he can live like a banker
on the strength of that. Very likely his next venture will sweep away
his small amount of capital. Well, if he comes to grief, he needn't
apply to me. Henceforth I wash my hands of him and his affairs
altogether."

"Of course it's your own lookout," he said, "but to me you seem
recklessly extravagant."

"Because I come in here? Well, perhaps so. When I find I can't afford
it, I'll go to a cheaper place. Have you seen Mary Barton lately?"

"Yes; she is well. By the way, what have you done with her boy?"

"He is traveling."

"So I heard. It seems to me a very foolish proceeding. Who is paying his
expenses?"

"Himself."

"Is he working, then?" asked the squire in surprise.

"Yes; he is a member of the 'Streets of Gotham' company, and is earning
his living as an actor."

"What does he know about acting?" asked the squire in amazement.

"It appears that he is giving satisfaction. He sent me a paper
containing a highly commendatory notice of his first appearance."

"It won't last," said Albert Marlowe, his wish being father to the
thought.

When he returned to Lakeville that evening, he carried with him two
pieces of news--first, that Uncle Jacob was living in luxury, and
secondly, that Bert Barton was on the stage.

"If he can act, I can," said Percy jealously. "They must have been hard
up for an actor when they took Bert Barton. A boy brought up in a
country town. Never been to a theatre in his life before. Pooh! I dare
say he appeared for one night only. The idea of Mary Barton's son acting
before a regular audience, a boy who has hoed corn for farmer Wilson!"

CHAPTER XXXII.

HIRAM FRENCH, OF CHICAGO.

From Harrisburg the dramatic company with which Bert was connected went
directly to Chicago.

"We don't like to make such long jumps," said Mr. Pearson, with whom
Bert had become quite friendly, "but we could secure Hoole