“By Jove!” he muttered, “that young beggar has more cheek than any one I know of.”
He would have liked to have joined the party, but even he had not the assurance to force himself upon them. So he sat watchful and envious, his jealousy excited by the evident favor with which Gilbert was regarded.
“If Mr. Vivian knew he hadn’t a cent in the world, he wouldn’t be quite so cordial,” he thought.
But Mr. Vivian did know. The trouble was that Randolph did not know him, or he would not have suspected him of such regard for wealth and its possession.
CHAPTER VII.
A SPITEFUL WOMAN.
Randolph lost no time in going home to report what he had seen. Both his father and mother were surprised to see him back so soon.
“I am glad you came home early,” said his mother.
“Did you see anything of Gilbert while you were out?” asked his father.
“Do you suppose, Mr. Briggs, that Randolph is going to follow your beggarly ward?” demanded Mrs. Briggs, sharply.
“He might have met him,” said her husband, in an apologetic tone.