"He is traveling."
"So I heard. It seems to me a very foolish proceeding. Who is paying his expenses?"
"Himself."
"Is he working, then?" asked the squire in surprise.
"Yes; he is a member of the 'Streets of Gotham' company, and is earning his living as an actor."
"What does he know about acting?" asked the squire in amazement.
"It appears that he is giving satisfaction. He sent me a paper containing a highly commendatory notice of his first appearance."
"It won't last," said Albert Marlowe, his wish being father to the thought.
When he returned to Lakeville that evening, he carried with him two pieces of news—first, that Uncle Jacob was living in luxury, and secondly, that Bert Barton was on the stage.
"If he can act, I can," said Percy jealously. "They must have been hard up for an actor when they took Bert Barton. A boy brought up in a country town. Never been to a theatre in his life before. Pooh! I dare say he appeared for one night only. The idea of Mary Barton's son acting before a regular audience, a boy who has hoed corn for farmer Wilson!"