"I will take it to oblige you. I won't charge you anything." "You'd better take the nickel. You look like a poor boy." "I am not in any special need of five cents," said John, not pleased with the patronizing tone of his new companion. Abel was pleased, however, with the idea of not having to pay for the service. "Do you know Mrs. Lane?" asked Abel. "Yes. Gerald Lane is my intimate friend." "Gerald? Oh, yes! that is Mr. Lane's son. What sort of a boy is he?" "He is a tip-top boy. Everybody likes him." "Humph! isn't he rather independent?" "Why shouldn't he be? His family was one of the most prominent in the village." "Ah, just so!" said Abel, complacently, for he felt that this made his mother's position the stronger. "I suppose you wonder who I am," said Abel, after a pause. "I suppose you are a friend of the family." "I should say I was. I am Mrs. Lane's son." This surprised John, for Gerald had neglected to tell him the information he had only just obtained himself. "I never heard Gerald speak of you," he said, half incredulous. "Gerald knew nothing about me." "How is that?" "Mother and Mr. Lane thought it best not to tell him." "But, of course, he will know now." "Certainly. I am going to live here." John made no comments, but he thought it rather a strange state of things. However, they had by this time reached the Lane residence, and John, indicating it, gave the valise to Abel. From the window Mrs. Lane saw the arrival of her son and opened the door for him. "Oh, my darling boy!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms about his neck. "So you have come home at last!" "Don't choke me, mother," said Abel, impatiently. "It doesn't look well to hug a fellow in public." "I can't help it, Abel. I am so delighted to see you. Come right in and sit down. Are you tired?" "Rather. I say, mother, you are pretty well fixed here." "Yes, Abel; you like the house, don't you?" "Yes; it is ever so much better than that old, tumble-down house we lived in before you came to Portville." "Hush! Don't let any one hear you refer to that." "Who is there to hear?" "The servant might overhear you some day. Besides, there is Gerald." "Where is he?" "Out somewhere. He will be home to supper." "Did he get any of the property?" "No, Abel; it is all mine." "Good. You played your cards pretty well." "Don't express yourself in that coarse way." "It's true, though. Isn't it rather strange old Lane shut out his own son?" "Don't call him old Lane. It doesn't sound well." "I say, mother, how much does the property amount to?" "About fifty thousand dollars, Abel." "Well, mother, you have been smart. I suppose you'll settle half of it on me." "There is no occasion to talk of that. Of course, when I die I shall leave all to you." "And none to Gerald?" "Well, perhaps a little, just for appearance' sake." "You needn't leave him over a hundred dollars. But I say, mother, you'll give me a good allowance, won't you?"