"We think it would prove very well in rural districts.
"The best way for you, would be to secure it by provisional protection for nine months.
"Please forward us £2 10s., and we will send you, at our earliest possible convenience, the necessary documents."
"Hurrah!" shouted Frank joyfully. "I'll send them the money as soon as I can."
He read the letter a second time to make sure that his eyes had not deceived him. Suddenly he stopped reading. No, it was not in the letter. A thought had struck him. "I will have to mention the money matter to my step-mother, for she keeps the keys of my drawer," he said in a soliloquy.
He went into the kitchen. Mr. and Mrs. Mathers were there. Frank flourished the letter in his hand and exclaimed: "My invention is likely to be a success." And, holding the letter in both his hands, he read it to his parents.
He emphasized the points that were in his favour, with all the force which he was capable of displaying.
Mrs. Mathers looked satisfied enough till her step-son came to the money matter. Here her face lengthened and as soon as he had finished reading she said: "Clever people; they think they are going to pocket all this money with a few words of flattering."
"Someone must pay for the one pound stamp and other expenses," answered Frank.