"I am sorry to hear he has got into trouble," said Mr. Walton, who was not so mean as his son. "I think I ought to do something to help him."
"Better leave him to his fate, pa. No doubt he is a bad boy."
"I can't understand why he should be. My sister is poor but an excellent woman, and his father was an exemplary man."
"I don't think we have any call to trouble ourselves about this boy," said Clarence. "He has disgraced us, and we couldn't do anything without having it all come out."
"By the way, Clarence, I have two tickets to the Grand Opera House this evening; would you like to go?"
"Just the thing, pa; I was wondering what we should do to pass the time."
"Edwin Booth is to appear as Cardinal Richelieu. It is one of his best characters. It will be a rare treat."
"Percy Van Dyke is to be there with his sister," said Clarence. "That is the reason why he wouldn't take supper with me at Delmonico's this evening."
"You will have a chance to see your friends between the acts," said Mr. Walton. "I am perfectly willing you should become intimate with the Van Dykes. By the way, bring your friend around and introduce him to me."
"Yes, pa."