"You are very considerate. Should that be the case I can send for you." "Yes, sir," answered Abel, eagerly. "I suppose your mother would not object to your undertaking it?" "No, sir. I know New York better than Gerald. He has never been there more than two or three times." "I will bear that in mind." John Nugent resumed reading the morning paper, and Abel felt that he was dismissed. He rose, and, bidding Mr. Nugent good-by in an airy manner, left the house. "That may lead to something," he said to himself, complacently. "The old man seemed rather struck by my appearance." It is just as well that Abel did not know how Mr. Nugent had really been impressed. On the way home he stepped into the grocery. "Well, Mr. Tubbs, I've just seen Gerald off," he said. "Where has he gone?" asked the grocer, not without curiosity. "He has gone to New York to attend to some business for Mr. Nugent." "Business! A boy like that! The old man must be crazy." "I think so myself. However, it's a good thing for Gerald." "I don't know about that. It won't take more'n a week likely." "Well, that's something." "And then he'll be out of work. He'd better have remained with me." "That's what ma thought, but Gerald is very obstinate." "He'll be comin' and ask me to take him back," said Mr. Tubbs, "but I don't know as I can. I've got a boy. Richard, you may take a bushel of potatoes over to Mrs. Scott's. There may be some other articles to take out. You can ask Mr. Brandon." "Are you going to ride?" asked Abel. "Yes; I shall go in the wagon." "May I go with you?" "If you want to," answered Richard, with no great alacrity. Meanwhile Gerald kept on his way to the great city. He enjoyed the trip, and his spirits rose as he sped rapidly on. At length he reached the Grand Central depot, and left the train along with the rest of the passengers. Just outside he fell in with a bootblack, a lively specimen of the New York gamin. "Have a shine, country?" he asked. Gerald smiled. "I blacked my boots before I came away." "Do you call that a shine?" said the boy, disdainfully. "You don't understand the business." "Can you do better?" "I'll shine 'em up so you can see your face in 'em." "Go ahead, then." The boy started in, and was as good as his word. "How's that?" he asked. "It's the best shine I ever had. What do you charge?" "Generally I get five cents, but I've got a note to meet at the bank, and I'd like ten." "All right; you shall have it. Now, can you tell me where to find the Park National Bank?" "That's the bank my note's in. Take them cars, and they'll carry you there." He pointed to a car which was just then passing, and Gerald boarded it. In less than half an hour he entered the Park Bank and made his way to the paying teller. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XVIII A NEW ACQUAINTANCE "HOW will you have it?" asked the teller.