"The best that can be for them. An old cousin has died, and they are his heirs."
"Good! Is it much?"
"Enough so they can live in comfort, whatever happens to me."
"And enough so that you can live in comfort, without anxiety for them," Thayer supplemented kindly.
"Without anxiety; I can do without the comfort," Arlt replied. "I have worried sometimes."
Crossing the room, Thayer laid his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"And you have borne the worry very pluckily, too, Arlt. It has been hard for you, this first year in America, with the double care for them and for yourself. I hope things are going to be easier now."
"It will be a help in my work," he assented. Then he added, with a sudden effort which showed how dear the subject was to his heart, "I think I shall now have a few more lessons in counterpoint."
"More?" Thayer said interrogatively.
"Yes; I had already studied for two years."