"I was taken in," said John, shortly.
"Sister Jane was pretty cute. She knew you'd be making a fuss, if you knew. I told her that once I got you here there wouldn't be any more trouble. So now you know all about it, and you may as well settle down to staying here."
Mrs. Huxter, to whom all this was news, listened with earnest attention. She was a good-hearted woman, and she couldn't help pitying John. She liked her sister-in-law, now Mrs. Oakley, no better than John did, and was very thankful when, after a two years' residence under her roof, she had obtained a position as house-keeper at a distance. She readily came to the conclusion that John had been harshly and unjustly treated, and she could not forbear expressing her sympathy.
"I did not know you were going to remain with us, Mr. Oakley," she said. "I'll try to make you comfortable as long as you stay."
"Thank you, Mrs. Huxter," said John, gratefully; for he could understand the kindness which led her to speak.
"You needn't mister him," said Mr. Huxter, roughly. "It's ridiculous to call such a boy 'Mr.'; it'll make him put on airs worse than ever."
"I do not know his first name," said Mrs. Huxter.
"My name is John," said our hero.
"Then I will call you so, if you are willing."
"If he is willing! Don't make a fool of yourself, Mrs. Huxter. It makes no difference whether he is willing or not."