CHAPTER XXII TWO PERSONS ARE SURPRISED “Aunt,” said Robert, his face aglow with excitement, “I am going to make a journey. I hope you won’t feel lonely while I am away.” “A journey!” exclaimed Mrs. Trafton in astonishment. “Yes, I am going away on business for the hermit.” “Where are you going?” “To Boston first.” “To Boston? Land’s sake! How can a boy like you find your way round in such a great city as Boston?” “A boy of my age ought to be able to take care of himself.” “Why, child, you’ll lose your way! There’s ever so many streets and roads. I went to Boston once, and I got so puzzled I didn’t know whether I stood on my head or my heels. If there was some older person going with you, now----” “Aunt, don’t make a baby of me. I guess I can get along as well as anybody.” “Well, you can try it. When will you be back?” “When I get my business done.” “You won’t be gone over two days, I calculate.” “I may be gone two months or more.” “Well, I never!” exclaimed the astonished woman, staring at Robert as if she thought his mind was wandering. “What sort of business is it that’s going to take so long?” “The hermit wants it kept secret, Aunt Jane.” “But how am I going to get along without you?” asked his aunt in dismay. “I can’t go out fishing, and the money I earn by sewing is almost nothing.” Robert smiled, for he knew he could allay his aunt’s fears. “The hermit will pay you five dollars a week while I am gone, and here is the first week’s pay,” he said, drawing from his pocket a bill. “Well, I must say your friend the hermit is a gentleman. Five dollars a week is more than I can spend.” “Then save a part of it if you like, aunt.” “But what shall I do, Robert, if Mr. Jones comes upon me to pay the mortgage when you arc gone?” said his aunt, with new alarm. “The hermit has agreed to pay off the mortgage and take one himself for the same amount.” “He is very kind, Robert. Don’t you think that I ought to call and thank him?” “What! Call at the cave?” “Yes!” “No, aunt,” said Robert hastily. “He would not like to have you. You can wait till you see him. But mind you don’t tell anybody--least of all, Mr. Jones--that you will be able to pay the mortgage. As he is so mean, we want to give him a surprise.” “Just as you say, Robert. I am glad we’ll be able to disappoint him, for he is certainly a very mean man. Now, when do you want to start for Boston?” “To-morrow.” “But how am I going to get ready your shirts and socks so soon?” “I shall not take any of them.” “Robert Coverdale, you must be crazy. You can’t wear one shirt for two months if you’re going so long.” “I don’t expect to, aunt,” said the boy, smiling. “I am going to buy a whole outfit of new things when I get to Boston. The hermit wants me to.” “He must be awful rich!” said the good woman, whose ideas on the subject of wealth were limited. “All the better for us, Aunt Jane, as he is willing to spend some of his money for us.”