Page:Keeping the Peace.pdf/191

 That night he told his father and John. Dear Mother and Sarah had set aside this particular evening for a conference in which every item of Sarah's trousseau, every detail of her wedding day, and most likely the future activities and deportment of her husband, were to be decided. The ladies therefore having retired, the gentlemen had the library to themselves.

"Tell us what happened, Eddie," said Mr. Eaton the moment they had gone.

"He was dandy to me," said Edward eagerly. "He bought eight of the bug pictures and said he would buy one every week as long as I like to draw 'em. I bet I don't miss a week between now and the time I'm eighty."

"He bought them, you say?" asked John.

"Ten dollars apiece," said Edward. "Eight of 'em. Eight times ten. I can do that in my head. It's eighty." Then he showed them the check which Mr. Townley had given him and continued excitedly: "He made me promise to send him one of 'em every week, and he promised that every four weeks he'd deposit forty dollars in the bank; so that even if I were way off somewhere—even if I were in France—I'd know I had the money. And he said if I did go to France he'd give me letters to artists and people who would help me—so if I did go to France I wouldn't have