"You may set your mind at rest, then. While I don't myself know how much I shall pay him, it will be more than that."
"That is satisfactory, of course. I presume you know what charge Mr. Tubbs has made against Gerald?"
"I do; but no one who knows the boy will for a moment think of crediting it."
"I supposed you thought so, or you would not offer him employment. Do you intend to employ him about your house?"
"No."
"Then I can't see what you can have for him to do."
"I may tell you as much as this, Mrs. Lane: I shall send Gerald to a point at some distance to transact some business for me, being unable, from age and infirmity to make the journey myself."
Mrs. Lane was greatly surprised. She could see that the commission was a desirable one, and would like to have secured it for her own son.
"I don't know whether you have made a wise selection of a messenger, Mr. Nugent. My son Abel is as old as Gerald."
"That may be, but I haven't the pleasure of knowing your son. Gerald and his father have been for some time friends of mine."