"My affairs are known only to myself. If you have come out to help me and supply my old age with comfort, it is a kind and charitable object."
Ralph was much disturbed by these words. He was very much afraid that his uncle was nearly as poor as he claimed. In that case his errand would be bootless. But, looking about him with a feeling of discontent, his eye fell on a tin box such as may be found in grocery stores filled with crackers.
"I'll find out what there is in that box," he decided.
Without answering the old man, he rose, and moving toward the box, lifted the lid.
"What are you doing?" asked Mr. Nixon, in alarm.
Ralph did not answer. He had something else to think of. The box was a third full of glittering gold pieces, upon which he gazed as if fascinated.
CHAPTER XXII
THE TABLES ARE TURNED
Ralph Nixon burst into a laugh.
"I see you are very poor, uncle," he said. "It is a feast for sore eyes to see these piles of yellow darlings." And he took out a handful and eyed them lovingly.