"It strikes me, Gerald Lane, that I have some voice in the matter. I shall not allow you to give up a place unless you are to get one equally good."
"While I don't know how much I am to get, I have no doubt it will be considerably more than Mr. Tubbs pays me."
Gerald could not have said anything better calculated to remove his stepmother's objections to his new plan.
"Very well," she said, calming down, "if that's the case I don't know that I shall object. Have you no idea what you are to do?"
"Yes, I have some idea."
"Tell me, then, all about it."
"I am not at liberty to do so. You might call on Mr. Nugent and ask him."
"I will do so."
Gerald smiled to himself. He knew that Mrs. Lane would get very little information out of the old gentleman.
Having no more to say Mrs. Lane suggested that it was high time they all went to bed. Gerald was quite ready to avail himself of the opportunity, for he was tired. Besides, he wanted a chance to think over the new and brilliant prospect before him.