Ransom Read Free Page B

honestly,” said Christobel, looking even more troubled at the increased demand. “I had to get a present for our principal on her birthday. All the girls were in it, and they wanted to get something really nice. It took all I had. I had to ask the office to lend me money for my carfare here.”
    â€œGood night!” said Randall. “Then I’ll havta pawn my watch, and I hate like the dickens to do it. Dad’s been awfully nice about getting me a new one when I smashed the last one, and I don’t want him ta notice it’s gone.”
    â€œLook here, Rand, you’d better tell Father everything. You’ll just get into a mess if you don’t. Dad would rather have you come across with the truth, I’m sure. And you oughtn’t to trouble him with this just now, when he is going through all this.”
    â€œAll this?” said the boy wonderingly. “You don’t think he
cares
, do ya? Why, she never cared anything about him! She just bled him fer money all the time. I know fer a fact. I saw a few things that time I was home with a broken leg. You can’t tell me!”
    â€œRand, for pity’s sake, stop talking like that, and be decent. If you think that, keep it to yourself, at least for a while. Listen! There’s Father coming in now, and there’s someone with him. We’ll have to go down, Rand. Father will expect it.”
    â€œGood night!” said the boy under his breath, peering down the stairs into the lighted hall. “It’s that old uncle of Charmian’s. Now he’ll have ta stay ta dinner, and I won’t get ta see Dad at all. Say, Chris, I’ll slip down the back way and snitch a bite in the kitchen and then pawn my watch and get back ta school. You tell Dad I had ta catch that train and that I’ll write him and explain. Say I’m sorry and all that—”
    â€œI’ll do no such thing!” said Christobel angrily. “You’re not going away without Father’s permission! Go on downstairs and behave yourself like a decent son of the house. Yes, Father, Rand and I are here! We’re coming!” she called as she saw her father lift a tired face toward the two as they stood together at the top of the stairs.
    â€œAw, you!” said Randall as he moved sullenly down the stairs after his sister into the full light of the hall.
    As she passed down the stairs, Christobel caught a glimpse of Marie coming furtively from the back hall with an anxious look on her face and a bunch of keys in her hand.

Chapter 2
    T he dinner table was a stiff affair, the young people scarcely speaking except when necessary, the two men carrying on a rambling conversation about politics and the prospect of a war in Europe, both of which neither seemed much interested in. But finally, when the table was being cleared for the dessert course and the butler had for the moment left the room, the unwelcome guest disclosed the true cause for his coming.
    â€œHmm!” he said, clearing his throat. “I am wondering when my dear niece’s will is to be read?”
    â€œWill?” said the head of the house, lifting his eyebrows in a question. “My wife left no will.”
    â€œNo will?” said the old man, with a swag of his head in disapproval. “That makes it most awkward, doesn’t it? How careless of her. Well then, just when is the estate to be divided?”
    â€œEstate?” The younger man lifted his chin a trifle haughtily and looked at his guest as if he were an old black crow come to pick bones. “There is no estate,” he said coldly. “My wife owned no property whatsoever.”
    â€œOh, but surely she owned this house. She told me several times that she bought it. She said it was hers.”
    â€œIt was hers only in the sense that I bought what she selected. Charmian was absolutely penniless when I married her, and she had nothing except what I gave to her. I did not give