human
Is my father ill?
gpt
No, not ill, only worrying over business. I always said he had too many irons in the fire, and now some have burned him, declared the old man as he walked along beside his nephew out of ear-shot of the crowd.
human
I've come on to try my hand at helping him.
gpt
But what can you do here? asked Dick.
human
And why must I leave Kentfield?
gpt
To help your father. I should think you'd be glad to. He needs money. It costs money to stay here and play those silly, dangerous games.
human
Not very much money, Uncle Ezra.
gpt
Don't tell me! You ought to be in my woolen mill earning four dollars and a quarter a week, instead of wasting cash here. Now I want to have a serious talk with you, Nephew Richard. Your father is in trouble, and it's your duty to leave here and help him.
human
I think I can help him by staying here just as well. But did he tell you to take me away from Kentfield--just when I have the football team in good shape? Did he say I was to leave?
gpt
No, he didn't exactly say so, but I know it would help. Besides, you might get injured playing this game, and then you'd be a cripple for life. You ought to be at work. Now I can make a place for you in the mill. In time you could work up to twelve or fifteen dollars a week, and of course, being my nephew, and the son of my only sister, I'd give you a chance. Better come, Dick. You might be hurt here.
human
And I might be hurt in the mill, Uncle Ezra. I have heard of people being caught in the machinery.
gpt
Well, of course it's possible, admitted the crabbed man.
human
But you must be careful. Besides if you got hurt in the mill it would be in a good cause. Though I warn you I carry accident insurance for all my employees and you can't collect any damages from me.
gpt
Then I think I'll stay and play football, Uncle Ezra.
human
Oh, the perversity and foolishness of the rising generation! groaned Mr. Larabee.
gpt
But hurry on and get cleaned up. It is a disgrace for me to be seen walking with you, and I have on my best black suit that I don't want to get spoiled. Besides I must hurry back. I have a lazy hired man that loafs when I'm away.
human
There, now I am ready to hear all about it, said Dick, when he had led his uncle to one of the reception rooms of the academy, and had removed most of the traces of the recent football conflict.
gpt
Are father's affairs in much worse shape?
human
I should say they were! exclaimed Uncle Ezra.
gpt
This man Porter--why Nephew Richard--what is that on your nose?
human
Nose? What's the matter with it?
gpt
There's a great big cut on it! How did it happen?
human
Oh, that's where I tried to stop Hal Foster's shoe with my nose, I expect. That's nothing. It's only a little cut. You should have seen the one I had last year. And when Teddy Naylor broke his collar bone----
gpt
That's enough! Not another word about the brutalities of football! I've heard enough! It's disgraceful. Let us talk about something else.
human
I'm anxious to hear about father's affairs,
gpt
I don't know very much, replied his uncle,
human
Yes, I know that Mr. Duncaster,
gpt
I came here to argue with him,
human
You did?
gpt
Yes, your father consented. He said you had been unable to do anything with him, and it would do no harm if I tried. I'm a fighter, I am! and Uncle Ezra squared his jaw aggressively.
human
I'll make him do as we want him to.
gpt
I want to help dad myself, reflected the young millionaire,
human
Now I thought if you could take me to see this person who has the stock, went on Mr. Larabee,
gpt
I can induce him to sell it. Once your father has possession of it matters will be all right. Could we go out to his place this afternoon?
human
Oh, yes, agreed Dick.
gpt
It is not much of a run to Hardvale.
human
I'm glad of it, for then I can start back home to-night. If I take along some sandwiches, which perhaps you can get from the kitchen here for me, I can ride all night in a day coach, and so save a hotel bill. We'll start for Hardvale at once. It is within walking distance, I presume.
gpt
No, answered Dick, and he felt a secret delight in his answer,
human
An auto! cried Uncle Ezra in horror.
gpt
Never! I'll never waste money on one of those affairs, and when I undertook to come here on your father's business I stipulated that I would pay all expenses. He is to give me a commission for doing the work, provided I get the trolley stock, and the less expenses I have the more money I can make.
human
But if you don't hire an auto you'll be here so long that you'll have to stay over and pay a hotel bill,
gpt
Couldn't we hire a horse and carriage, or go in a trolley car--trolleys are cheap.
human
There is no trolley line to Hardvale, said Dick,
gpt
Oh dear! What a hard world this is! Well, let us go and get a cheap auto. I'll bargain with the driver.