"But you will have to do something, Rupert." Rupert smiled. "Don't feel anxious, mother," he said, "Mr. Packard is a rich man, and he is a faithful friend. I think he will arrange something for me." The next day Mr. Packard and his uncle, John Plympton, reached New York and established themselves at the Somerset Hotel. Rupert learned with satisfaction of Mr. Plympton's recovery of his money from his knavish nephew. "And now, Rupert," said the cattleman, "tell me about your own affairs." "First, I have received an offer of seven thousand dollars for the two lots you gave me." "That is fine. They have gone up surprisingly." "Would you advise me to sell them?" "Yes. Sell them and invest half the money in other lots less desirably situated. It is only a question of time when they, too, can be sold to advantage." "And the other half of the money?" "Invest in good bank stock or Government bonds, where they will yield an income." "I am sure that is good advice." "How about your mother?" "The gentleman for whom she acted as housekeeper is dead, and she must seek a new home. I have looked at a furnished flat in West Nineteenth Street, renting at twenty dollars a month." "I have another plan to propose. I have got tired of living in Colorado, though I shall retain my business interests there. I want to have a home for my uncle and myself here. I shall hire a moderate-sized house, and run it myself, and engage your mother to take charge of it, if she should be willing." "Nothing would please her better, Mr. Packard," said Rupert, earnestly. "As it may take me a little time to make the necessary arrangements, send for your mother and let her make a temporary home at this hotel. I will defray the expenses." "You are very kind, Mr. Packard." "Well, who has a better right? I have a great mind to adopt you, young man." "I shan't make any violent opposition, Mr. Packard. But what will your nephew in Rochester say?" "Of course Eben won't like it, but I claim a right to do what I like with my own. I shall not disinherit his family wholly, but what I leave to them will be so tied up that Eben can't get at it. It is amusing, the change that came over him when he learned that I was not a destitute cowboy, but a man of property." The next day Mrs. Rollins was installed at the hotel, and Mr. Packard began to look around for a house such as he desired. "There shall be a nice room for you, Uncle John," he said. "I will promise to treat you as well as Eben did." "I can pay for my board, Giles. I don't want to cost you too much." "You will pay for your board when I send in a bill. Don't trouble yourself till then." "But I am able to work, Giles." "I may find some light work for you, Uncle John, just to keep you from being uneasy."