“Not for two weeks—or nearly two weeks.”
“He was well?” questioned the doctor.
“Quite well, then; but I am feeling somewhat anxious about him now, on account of the delay of letters.”
“Don’t let that trouble you. Letters often miscarry.”
“I understand,” said Mrs. Gordon, “that some malicious person is spreading slanderous reports about Andy. Have you heard anything of the kind, Dr. Euclid?”
“Yes, Mrs. Gordon; but I did not give one moment’s credence to them.”
“Can you tell me anything about the nature of the reports?”
“It appears that in some paper was published a paragraph touching a certain Andrew Gordon, who was charged with stealing a sum of money from his employer, but it was expressly stated that he was twenty-five years of age. Andy has ill-wishers, however, who, overlooking this circumstance, have been glad to report that he was in trouble.”
“It is contemptible!” said Miss Susan Peabody, warmly.
“So it is, my dear Miss Peabody,” said Dr. Euclid. “Andy was my favorite pupil, and I will stake my own reputation on his honor and honesty.”