He lifted his eyes a little as she was shown into his presence. He knew her by sight, but had never spoken to her, beyond exchanging formal greetings. "I must apologize for intruding upon you, Mr. Nugent," she said, "but I am led to do so by some information which Gerald, my stepson, has given me." Mr. Nugent bowed, and waited to hear more. "Gerald informed me last evening that you had offered him employment. I did not know whether to put confidence in his statement." "Why not?" asked the old gentleman, curtly. "Because I thought it might be only an excuse for leaving Mr. Tubbs." "Gerald is incapable of falsehood." "I am glad you have so good an opinion of him. Then do I understand that you have offered him employment?" "I have." "Of what nature?" "Pardon me, but the business is of a confidential nature." "Surely, as the boy's stepmother, I have a right to information on that point." "You have no right to pry into my private affairs, Mrs. Lane." His visitor bit her lips from irritation. "Gerald didn't even know how much pay he was to receive." "No, he does not know." "He is receiving three dollars a week from Mr. Tubbs." "And you don't care to have him work for less?" said Mr. Nugent, with a smile. "Precisely." "You may set your mind at rest, then. While I don't myself know how much I shall pay him, it will be more than that." "That is satisfactory, of course. I presume you know what charge Mr. Tubbs has made against Gerald?" "I do; but no one who knows the boy will for a moment think of crediting it." "I supposed you thought so, or you would not offer him employment. Do you intend to employ him about your house?" "No." "Then I can't see what you can have for him to do." "I may tell you as much as this, Mrs. Lane: I shall send Gerald to a point at some distance to transact some business for me, being unable, from age and infirmity to make the journey myself." Mrs. Lane was greatly surprised. She could see that the commission was a desirable one, and would like to have secured it for her own son. "I don't know whether you have made a wise selection of a messenger, Mr. Nugent. My son Abel is as old as Gerald." "That may be, but I haven't the pleasure of knowing your son. Gerald and his father have been for some time friends of mine." "When did you wish Gerald to start?" "On Monday." "That is short notice. I don't know that I can have his clothes ready." "Never mind about that. I don't want to put you to any trouble in the matter. He can take what is ready, and buy others if he has need." "Will he be likely to be gone long?" "For some time," answered Mr. Nugent, indefinitely. "Well, I trust he will satisfy you," said Mrs. Lane, as she rose to go. "I have great confidence that he will." Meanwhile Mr. Tubbs took occasion to speak to Gerald about staying. "Your mother was in here yesterday to see me, Gerald," he commenced. "My stepmother," corrected Gerald. "Oh, well, it's all the same." "I don't think so."