"Doubtless you are doing your duty, wherever you are. In what business are you engaged?" "I am in a real estate office." "I hope you are making fine wages?" "I receive fifteen dollars a week." "Bless my soul! Why, that is all I pay my head assistant. You must be giving great satisfaction. And how is your father?" "He is pretty well, sir; but his loss of property has worn upon him." "Naturally. Did I not understand that he had to mortgage his farm." "Yes, sir." "I hope there is no danger of foreclosure?" "There might be, sir; but when the danger comes I shall be able to help him." "I am not much of a capitalist, Andy. I understand Latin and Greek better than I do investments, but if a loan of a few hundred dollars will help him I shall be willing to let him have it." "Thank you very much, Dr. Crabb, but my employer, Mr. Crawford, will give me all the help I need." "I am truly pleased to hear it. I wish you were able to return to the academy. You were our _primus_, and I did not like to spare you. You might in time have succeeded me." "I hope it will be a long time before you require a successor, doctor. I shall confine my ambitions to succeeding in my business." CHAPTER XXXV. THE RETURN OF AN OLD FRIEND. One afternoon Andy was busy writing in the office when he heard himself called by name, and, looking up, saw Walter Gale, who had just entered. "Mr. Gale!" he exclaimed, joyfully, rising and grasping the hands of his friend. "So you know me? Upon my word, you have grown so that I find it difficult to recognize you." "Yes, I believe I have grown taller." "And more manly. I need not ask if you are well. Your appearance answers that question." "I was never better." "And you enjoy your work?" "Immensely. But when did you reach the city?" "This morning. As you see, I have lost no time in looking you up." "Shall you stay here now?" "Yes," answered Gale, gravely; "my poor uncle is dead. His sickness was a painful one, and he is better off." "I am glad you are to be in the city. I hope to see you often." "You will, if I can have my way. I have hired a handsome and roomy flat on Madison Avenue, and I expect you to come and live with me." "I shall be delighted to do so if you will let me pay my share of the expenses." "You will pay me with your company. I will receive no other pay. My uncle has left me all his property--at least a hundred thousand dollars--and I was rich before." "I will certainly accept your offer, since I am sure you will like to have me." "You were teaching a boy, I believe?" "Yes; but he is so well advanced now that he does not need my assistance. I am free to accept your kind offer." "Call upon me this evening, and arrange to move to-morrow. I am very lonely, and want young and cheerful company." When Andy called upon his friend in the evening he found him sumptuously lodged. The next evening he moved in. "What news from Arden, Andy?" asked Mr. Gale.