Oliver nodded.
"Well, good-morning. I'll tell Frank Dudley I have seen you."
"I wish you would."
He looked after Oliver, as he walked away, with the same feeling of wonder.
"How can a boy earn so much money?" he thought. "Oliver must be smart. I thought he'd be a beggar by this time."
In his secret heart Roland had never credited the charge of theft brought against Oliver. He didn't like him, and was ready enough to join in the charge of dishonesty fabricated by his father and Mr. Bond, but really he knew Oliver too well to believe it. Otherwise he might have suspected that Oliver's supply of money was dishonestly obtained. He concluded that his step-brother must be doing some business of a very profitable character.
With a hundred dollars in his pocket, Oliver felt justified in re-engaging the room he had in the morning resolved to leave. He managed to see John Meadows at the time of his leaving the store, and enquired if he had yet hired his old room.
"No," said John, "I am just going round there. Will you go with me?"
"It won't be necessary," said Oliver. "We had better remain where we are."
John stared.