Hector felt keenly how powerless he was in the matter. He looked grave, as he answered:
“Larry, you may be sure that I would do all in my power to have your father restored to the position from which he never should have been removed; but I fear I can do nothing.”
“Won’t you write to Mr. Roscoe?” pleaded Larry, who, of course, did not understand why Hector was powerless.
“Yes, I will write to him, but I am sorry to say that I have very little influence with Mr. Roscoe.”
“That is strange,” said Larry; “and you the owner of the estate.”
Hector did not care to explain to Larry just how matters stood, so he only said:
“I can’t explain to you what seems strange to you, Larry, but I may be able to do so some time. I will certainly write to Mr. Roscoe, as you desire; but you must not build any hopes upon it. Meanwhile, will you accept this from me, and send it to your father?”
As he spoke, he drew from his pocketbook a five-dollar bill and handed it to his humble friend.
Larry would not have accepted it had he known that Hector was nearly as poor as himself, but, supposing him to be the heir of a large and rich estate, he felt no hesitation.
“Thank you very much, Hector,” he said; “you had always a kind heart. This money will do my father very much good. I will send it to him to-day.”