“I thought your guardian paid your board,” said Ingalls, who was acquainted with the particulars of Gilbert’s history.
“So he did; but he has sailed for Europe suddenly, without making any provision for the payment of my money.”
“How long is he to be gone?”
“Two or three months, they told me at the office.”
“That is rather inconvenient. If you were only a few years older, there would be a remedy.”
“What remedy?”
“You could marry Miss Brintnall. Mrs. White told me the other day that Miss Brintnall has saved up two or three thousand dollars from her earnings.”
“That will be convenient for you when she becomes Mrs. Ingalls,” said Gilbert, with a smile.
“Do you think I would sacrifice myself for that paltry sum?” demanded Ingalls, with much indignation. “Ten thousand dollars is the lowest sum for which I will sacrifice my liberty. I’ll tell you who is most likely to become Miss Brintnall’s husband, that is, if she consents.”
“Who?”