Five hundred dollars! What could he not do with five hundred dollars! He could go to the city, and board, enjoying himself meanwhile, till he could find a place. His galling dependence would be over, and he would be his own master. True it would be a theft, but Joshua had an excuse ready.
"It will all be mine some day," he said to himself. "It's only taking a part of my own in advance."
He seized the gold and the bond, and, hastily concealing both in his breast-pocket, went downstairs, first locking the trunk, and putting it away where he found it.
"What's the matter, Joshua?" asked his mother, struck by his nervous and excited manner.
"Nothing," he answered, shortly.
"Are you well?"
"I've got a little headache,—that is all."
"Perhaps you'd better not eat anything then."
"It won't do me any harm. I'll take a cup of tea, if you've got any."
"I can make some in five minutes."