It is just as well that Abel did not know how Mr. Nugent had really been impressed. On the way home he stepped into the grocery.
"Well, Mr. Tubbs, I've just seen Gerald off," he said.
"Where has he gone?" asked the grocer, not without curiosity.
"He has gone to New York to attend to some business for Mr. Nugent."
"Business! A boy like that! The old man must be crazy."
"I think so myself. However, it's a good thing for Gerald."
"I don't know about that. It won't take more'n a week likely."
"Well, that's something."
"And then he'll be out of work. He'd better have remained with me."
"That's what ma thought, but Gerald is very obstinate."