“You are going back on me, as I look at it. You promised to bring me a dollar and you haven’t done it.”
“I’ll tell you how it is, Mr. Jones. My nephew, Robert, has the money, but he was gone when I woke up this morning. I shall see him to-night and give you the money.”
“You needn’t wait till then. I saw Robert pass here only half an hour ago. He’s somewhere in the village. Find him and get the money and then I’ll talk with you.”
There was no appeal from this decision and Trafton, angry and sullen, left the tavern to look for Robert.
CHAPTER VIII
ROBERT BECOMES A PRISONER
One of the most tasteful houses in Cook’s Harbor was occupied in summer by the family of Theodore Irving, a Boston lawyer, who liked to have his wife and children in the country, though his business required him to spend a part of the hot season in the city.
The oldest son, Herbert, was about a year younger than Robert, a lively boy, fond of manly sports and thoroughly democratic in his tastes. He had scraped acquaintance with our hero, making the first advances, for Robert was not disposed to intrude his company where he was not sure it would be acceptable.
When Robert came to the village to avoid meeting his uncle, in passing by the house of Mr. Irving he attracted the attention of Herbert, who was sitting on the edge of the piazza.