“I am very sorry,” said Gerald with sincere sympathy.
“One regret I have is, that it will compel us to separate for a time at least.”
“I feared so, Mr. Brooke. I shall feel quite lost without you. I have no relatives, and it will leave me alone in the world.”
“I would invite you to go to England with me if it were not a case of sickness.”
“I should not expect it, Mr. Brooke. Besides, I am an American boy, and I have my living to earn in America.”
“That gives me an idea. Remain here, please, till I return from Mr. Sandford’s office. I must go there and acquaint him with my recall.”
An hour later he returned to the hotel.
“I have engaged my passage from New York by next Saturday’s steamer,” he said. “I shall leave St. Louis to-morrow morning.”
“Then I shall have to form my plans,” said Gerald.
“They are formed already. How would you like to go into the employ of Mr. Sandford?”