“Oh, no. If I could study law I think I would like it better than anything else.”
“Then you shall study law,” went on the doctor firmly. “It’s the least I can do for you, after you saved my fortune for me. After you graduate I shall see that you do not lack for practice.
“There is another matter. Now that the Sandows are gone I shall be all alone in that big house. That would never do. I need some one to look after me, or I would forget to eat. Won’t you come and take charge of the place, Mrs. Baldwin? I would pay you and Miss Ramsey well, and it would be a good home for Tom.”
It did not need much urging to have the two women give up their sewing work, which had paid very poorly of late, and accept the doctor’s offer. Within a week they were established in the Spidderkins mansion, and Tom had been entered at college, where he was to make a specialty of law.
One evening, not long after this, Tom was called to the telephone, in the doctor’s house. He heard a girl’s voice speaking.
“Is this Tom Baldwin?” she asked.
“Yes. Who is this?”
“I thought you were coming over to see my brother, and learn something about a telephone switchboard,” came back over the wire, followed by a jolly laugh.
“Oh, so I am. Why, it’s—it’s Minnie Renfield!” exclaimed Tom, as he recognized the voice of the central girl, who had done him such a good turn.
“Of course it is,” she replied. “When are you coming over?”