Time seemed to move on leaden wings, but the night and the ensuing day wore away at last, and, long before the hour for starting arrived, Arthur had packed his valise and was ready for the train.
From some hidden source, Uncle Bob had produced money enough to purchase tickets, and furnish himself and his hopeful son with brand new travelling outfits and a few articles of comfort and utility, and, when they took their seats in the drawing-room car, they were quite prepared to create a sensation among the passengers they found there. But to Arthur’s disappointment, the passengers at whom he gazed through his gold eye-glasses—he needed eye-glasses about as much as he needed another ring—were not at all impressed by his fine clothes and the graceful attitudes he assumed.
They had papers and books to read, and matters of their own to think about, and some of them never once looked at him.
The only one in the car who paid any particular attention to him was a handsome, dark-haired youth, who all that day had ridden with his arms folded and his chin resting on his breast. He looked up when Arthur and his father entered, gave a start of surprise, and said, in a whisper, to his travelling companion:
“That’s my Uncle Bob—if I ever saw him.”
“And a very fine-looking old fellow he is, too,” said the other, who would hardly have recognized in this pompous gentleman—who gazed about him as if he were monarch of all he surveyed—the Uncle Bob whom we introduced a short time ago. That fine feathers make fine birds was fully exemplified in his case. “Who is that young chap with him—your cousin Arthur?”
“I think so,” replied Bob Howard—for it was he—“but I’m not sure. A good many years have passed since I last saw them, and Arthur has had plenty of time to grow out of my recollection, but Uncle Bob hasn’t changed at all.”
“What are they doing on this train, I wonder?” asked George Edwards.
“I’m sure I don’t know. Say, George, I didn’t write to Uncle Bob about my father’s death, as I meant to do, and perhaps I’d better speak to him about it now, while I have the chance. Then I shall be done with him forever.”
“Well, if it is an unpleasant piece of business, go about it at once, and have it off your mind,” suggested George.