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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
Book online «Herbert Carter's Legacy; Or, the Inventor's Son by Jr. Horatio Alger (free romance novels txt) 📖». Author Jr. Horatio Alger
“Oh, no; it will be pleasant.”
“Then here goes.”
Cameron jumped into the boat, pushed off and began to row in a style that showed he was accustomed to the exercise. The pond was so small that it was not easy for him to get out of sight.
Herbert sat down, not without a secret longing to be in the boat also; but he did not care to place himself under any obligations to James.
Suddenly he heard a hasty step behind him. Looking up, he saw the owner of the boat close at hand.
James Leech looked for his boat and saw that it was gone. Then his gaze fell upon our hero.
“What have you done with my boat, Carter?” he demanded, peremptorily.
“What makes you ask such a question, Leech?” answered Herbert.
“Why do you call me Leech?” said James, angrily.
“For the same reason you call me Carter, I suppose.”
“There's a great difference between us,” said James.
“That's true,” assented Herbert.
“And you ought to treat me with proper respect.”
“I treat you with all the respect you deserve.”
“You haven't answered my question,” said James.
“What question?”
“Where is my boat?”
“Out on the pond. Look and you will see it.”
James looked where Herbert pointed.
“Who is that in that boat?” he demanded, angrily.
“Mr. Cameron.”
“Who's he?”
“A boarder at the hotel.”
“Is it the young man from Yale College? My father was speaking of him this morning,” said James, moderating his tone very considerably.
“Yes.”
“Then I don't mind. My father says he is very rich. I suppose I shall be introduced to him soon,” said James, complacently.
“If you will wait a few minutes till he comes ashore I will introduce you,” said Herbert.
“You! What do you know of him?” sneered James.
“I passed the afternoon with him,” said Herbert.
“He must be hard up for company,” said James.
“Look here, James Leech,” said Herbert his eyes flashing; “I've had enough of that kind of talk. I don't intend to submit to your impudence. When you speak to me keep a civil tongue in your head.”
“I never heard such impudence. What do you mean by addressing me in that style?”
“What do I mean? I mean to warn you to be civil.”
“Look here, Carter! I'll tell my father and he'll turn you out of house and home,” exclaimed James, furiously.
“He hasn't the power, fortunately.”
“Hasn't he got a mortgage on your place?”
“Yes; but the interest was paid to-day and no more will be due for six months.”
“Where did you get the money to pay the interest?”
“That is no business of yours. It is enough for you to know that it is paid and that your father has no more control over us than we have over him.”
James was disappointed. He had expected that the interest would not be paid and that Mrs. Carter and Herbert would be at his father's mercy. It was certainly surprising that they had raised the money.
“Are you waiting here for Mr. Cameron?” asked James.
“Yes.”
“I don't think you need to.”
“As you don't even know him, I don't think your opinions as to his wishes of much importance.”
“I wouldn't thrust myself on him, if I were you.”
“Thank you, I don't intend to.”
“I suppose you fell in with him by accident. He probably don't know who you are.”
“Oh, yes, he does. He knows all about me. I am going to spend to-morrow afternoon with him also,” said Herbert, delighting to mystify his companion.
“He won't care to have you call much longer. My aunt has written to my father about him and he will invite Mr. Cameron to call.”
“I have no objection but I don't think it will make any difference as I am Mr. Cameron's private secretary.”
“Private secretary! What do you do?”
“I read to him, as his eyes are poor, and I suppose I shall write for him when he needs it.”
“What does he pay you?”
“I don't know as that concerns you particularly. Still, I don't mind telling you. He pays me five dollars a week.”
“That's a good deal more than you're worth.”
“I think so myself, especially as I only spend the afternoon with him.”
James was quite annoyed to find that the boy he disliked was prospering so well. He was about to make another unpleasant remark when Herbert suddenly exclaimed:
“He's turned the boat. Doesn't he row beautifully?”
The same thought sprang up in the minds of both boys: “I wish I could row like that.”
CHAPTER XXI ROWING
The little boat touched its moorings.
“Mr. Cameron,” said Herbert, “allow me to introduce to you the owner of the boat, Mr. James Leech.”
“Mr. Leech,” said Cameron, “I have to apologize for taking your boat without leave. I hope I haven't kept you waiting for it.”
If the young collegian had not been the son of a wealthy man, whose social position was higher than his own, James would not so readily have accepted the apology. As it was, he said, graciously: “Oh it's no matter. I'm glad you took the boat. How beautifully you row!”
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