Mr. Nugent was considerably surprised when the servant came up and told him a boy was below who wished to see him.
"It can't be Gerald Lane come back!" he said to himself.
When Abel entered the room Mr. Nugent was glad to find that this suspicion was unfounded.
"Good morning, young man," he said. "Do you wish to see me?"
"Yes, sir."
"I don't think I know you."
"I am Abel Tyler, stepbrother of Gerald Lane."
"Oh, yes! I think I saw you yesterday in Mrs. Lane's pew."
"I just saw Gerald off for New York."
"And came to tell me of it? You are very kind."