“Oh, Jack, isn’t it a terrible happening?” said his mother, as she took him in her arms. There were tears in Dora’s eyes as she spoke. Her face was pale and haggard and showed plainly the loss of sleep.
“Oh, Mother, you mustn’t take it so hard,” he returned, kissing her. “I’m sure it will come out all right in the end. They’ll catch those bandits and get most of the securities back, I’m sure of it!”
“Well, I certainly hope so.” But Mrs. Rover shook her head sadly as she spoke.
Dinner in all the three connecting houses that evening was a sombre affair. Fred’s mother was even more dejected than Dora Rover, and the twins could do little to cheer up Nellie.
“Why, boys, don’t you understand?” said Tom’s wife. “This may bankrupt The Rover Company!”
“Oh, come, come, Nellie! Not quite as bad as all that,” said Tom. Yet, in spite of his attempt at light-heartedness, the twins saw that their father was far more worried than he was willing to admit.
Randolph Rover had spent most of the time with the mothers of the boys, quieting them as best he could. In coming down to the city the old gentleman who had made scientific farming his hobby had been busy doing a lot of figuring, and now, when the dinner in Dick Rover’s mansion came to a close, he called his nephew to one side.
“I’ve been figuring on those securities I possess which aren’t deposited with The Rover Company,” he announced. “Outside of the farm, I’ve got about eighteen thousand dollars. If it will do you any good, Dick, you can have it, and if it’s necessary I’ll sell the farm too. That ought to be worth at least twenty-five thousand dollars, the way values are going up in that vicinity.”
“That’s awfully good of you, Uncle Randolph,” answered Dick, and in spite of himself his voice choked with emotion. “But I’m hoping we can get our securities back or make the necessary arrangements with the banks to tide us over. But you’re awfully good, and I’ll never forget it,” and he wrung his uncle’s hand heartily.
“Your father wanted to come. He wanted to go after those bandits himself,” continued the uncle. “We had quite a time to make him change his plans and remain on the farm.” It may be added here that Anderson Rover was considerably older than his brother Randolph and far from as vigorous in health.