“Not if I can help it.”
“And you’ll persuade him to give the extra amount to me?”
“I will do my best; but your father is sometimes very obstinate.”
“It takes you to manage him, mother. Just let him know what you think of Gilbert.”
“He knows that very well already; but I will do my best for you, Randolph.”
Six weeks later Mr. Briggs arrived in New York. Gilbert saw his name in a list of the passengers by the last Cunard steamer, but decided not to call upon him immediately.
“He would think I was applying to have my board paid again,” he said to himself; “and that is no longer necessary.”
CHAPTER XXXVII.
AN IMPORTANT REVELATION.
Gilbert did not lose sight of the little flower-girl whom he had befriended. Even when his fortunes were at the lowest, he never failed to buy a bouquet of her daily. More than this he did not feel able to do then. But as soon as he obtained the position of Fred’s teacher, he again visited Mr. Talbot in his poor lodgings, and gave him more substantial assistance. The sick man improved steadily in health and spirits. It did him great good to feel that he had a friend, though that friend was only a boy, dependent on his earnings for support.
On the day after he had heard of Mr. Briggs’ return from Europe, Gilbert made a hurried call during his dinner-hour.