“He shall be repaid, and promptly, and he will accept my heartiest thanks, also. I hope, Mr. Rand, you will make your home with us while you are in Portland.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Trimble, but I have already secured lodgings at a hotel. At some future time I may accept your invitation.”
Chester strongly suspected that he would not be a welcome guest to Mr. Trimble when that gentleman learned that he had been instrumental in bringing home his stepson in time to defeat his plans. But he called every day till, his business being concluded, he started on his return to New York. Edward had expected to go back with him, but to this Mrs. Trimble would not listen.
“We have been separated long enough, Edward,” she said. “Henceforth your place is at my side. I feel that I have done you injustice, and I want to repair it. I made a mistake in marrying Mr. Trimble, but it is too late to correct that. I will not permit him, hereafter, to separate me from my son.”
“If you wish me to remain, mother, I will,” rejoined Edward. “I was not happy away from you. From this time forth I will stand by you and protect you from all that is unpleasant.”
Edward spoke with a courage and manliness which he had not formerly shown. It was clear that adversity had strengthened and improved him.
CHAPTER XLI.
CONCLUSION.
Let us go back to Wyncombe. Mrs. Greene, living near Mrs. Rand, was a lady who made it her business to know all about her neighbors’ affairs. She stepped into Silas Tripp’s store to buy a pound of butter.