"You seem to have struck up quite an intimacy with Mr. Nugent," said his stepmother, with a sneer. "I hope you don't consider him a disreputable person, Mrs. Lane." "You are impertinent. You have no right to annoy him by late visits." "I don't. He is always glad to see me; to-night, particularly, he had some business which he wished to talk over with me." Abel laughed. "Hear him talk, ma!" he said. "Just as if Mr. Nugent would talk over business with Gerald!" Gerald did not think it necessary to answer this malicious remark. "I have been over to see Mr. Tubbs to-day," said Mrs. Lane. Gerald looked at her inquiringly. "And he has agreed to keep you. He still thinks that you robbed the money-drawer, but is inclined to think you will not repeat the theft." "I am very much obliged to him, I am sure." "You have reason to be. It is not many employers who would overlook such an offence. You could not, of course, get another position without his recommendation." Gerald did not reply. He waited to see what more Mrs. Lane had to say. "Therefore you will continue to work in the grocery store." "You must excuse me for saying, Mrs. Lane, that I shall not do so." "You dare to say that?" exclaimed his stepmother, flushing with indignation. "Yes, madam." "Do you expect me to support you without work? If so, you will find yourself disappointed. I shall not provide you with a home if you dare to oppose my will." "It will not be necessary, Mrs. Lane. I have obtained another situation." "What?" exclaimed his stepmother, in genuine surprise. "Who are you going to work for?" asked Abel, his curiosity aroused. "For Mr. Nugent." "How much is he goin' to pay you?" "I don't know." "Nor any one else, I reckon. What can he have for you to do?" "I am not at liberty to tell just yet." "It strikes me, Gerald Lane, that I have some voice in the matter. I shall not allow you to give up a place unless you are to get one equally good." "While I don't know how much I am to get, I have no doubt it will be considerably more than Mr. Tubbs pays me." Gerald could not have said anything better calculated to remove his stepmother's objections to his new plan. "Very well," she said, calming down, "if that's the case I don't know that I shall object. Have you no idea what you are to do?" "Yes, I have some idea." "Tell me, then, all about it." "I am not at liberty to do so. You might call on Mr. Nugent and ask him." "I will do so." Gerald smiled to himself. He knew that Mrs. Lane would get very little information out of the old gentleman. Having no more to say Mrs. Lane suggested that it was high time they all went to bed. Gerald was quite ready to avail himself of the opportunity, for he was tired. Besides, he wanted a chance to think over the new and brilliant prospect before him. The next day Mr. Nugent was surprised by a call from Mrs. Lane.