“But I haven’t, mother.”
“Generally, only criminals who are engaged in breaking the laws change their names,” persisted Mrs. Gordon.
“Do you think, mother,” laughed Andy, “that changing my name will make me a law-breaker?”
“No, Andy; but——”
“But, mother, it seems to be necessary. That man Brackett knows that uncle Simon has relations, and it is likely that he knows our name. If I should appear as Andy Gordon he would know the name, and be suspicious of me, so that I could not help uncle at all.”
Mrs. Gordon had to admit that Andy was right.
“I suppose it must be, then,” she said. “What name have you thought of?”
“I have not thought of any yet, but it can’t be very hard to find one. Names are plenty enough.”
This was true. Still, after suggesting a dozen, Andy seemed no nearer a choice than he had been in the first place.
“I’ll tell you what, mother,” he said at last. “Haven’t you an old paper here, somewhere?”