“You haven’t been a rolling stone, Mr. Tripp.”
“No; I’ve stuck to the store year in and year out for thirty-five years. I ain’t had more’n three days off in that time.”
“If I had your money, Mr. Tripp, I’d go off and enjoy myself.”
“What, and leave the store?” said Silas, aghast at the thought.
“You could hire some one to run it.”
“I wouldn’t find much left when I came back; No, I must stay at home and attend to business. Do your folks go to bed early, Chester?”
“Not before ten,” answered Chester, in some surprise.
“Then I’ll call this evenin’ after the store is closed.”
“Very well, sir. You’ll find us up.”
The idea had occurred to Mr. Tripp that Mrs. Rand must be very short of money, and might be induced to dispose of her place at a largely reduced figure. It would be a good-paying investment for him, and he was not above taking advantage of a poor widow’s necessities. Of course neither Mrs. Rand nor Chester had any idea of his motives or intentions, and they awaited his visit with considerable curiosity.