Page:The Poor Rich Man, and the Rich Poor Man.djvu/33

Rh "I do, Susy: Essex never seems Essex when Harry is out of it."

"No, I am sure it does not; but, then, if he did not go away, we should not have the joy of his coming home." Susan was the first to see the compensation.

"I hope," said Charlotte, after a short pause, "that Harry will not go away again on this business; he may be getting money, but then he should have been at school the past winter. You know what Doctor Allen used to say to mother—'Education is the best capital for a young man to begin with.' I am afraid Harry has caught some of Morris Finley's notions."

"Oh, no, no, Charlotte!—they are as different as day and night. I am sure, if Harry is eager to get money, it's because he has some good use for it, and not, like Morris, just for the money's sake."

"I hope it is so, but even then I do not like this travelling about; I am afraid he will get an unsettled disposition."

"Why, Charlotte, it is not so very pleasant travelling about in freezing winter weather, and deep muddy spring roads, peddling books."

The subject of their discussion broke it off by his entrance; and, after mutual kind greetings were over, he sat down by Charlotte with a face that plainly indicated he had something to say, and knew not how to begin.

"Have you had good luck, Harry?" asked Charlotte.

"Very!" The very was most emphatic.

"Well, I hope it won't turn your head."