“It was an accident. Your uncle fell in getting out of a Broadway stage, and this boy happened to be near, and seeing Mr. Wharton was a rich gentleman, he helped him home, and was invited in. Then he told some story about his poverty, and so worked upon your uncle’s feelings that he hired him to read to him at five dollars a week.”
“Is this all the boy does?”
“No; he is cash-boy in a large store on Broadway. He is employed there all day, and he is here only in the evenings.”
“Does my uncle seem attached to him?” asked John.
“He’s getting fond of him, I should say. The other day he asked me if I didn’t think it would be a good thing to take him into the house and give him a room. I suppose the boy put it into his head.”
“No doubt. What did you say?”
“I opposed it. I told him that a boy would be a great deal of trouble in the family.”
“You did right, Mrs. Bradley. What did my uncle say?”
“He hinted about taking him from the store and letting him go to school. The next thing would be his adopting him. The fact is, Mr. John, the boy is so artful that he knows just how to manage your uncle. No doubt he put the idea into Mr. Wharton’s head, and he may do it yet.”
“Does my uncle give any reason for the fancy he has taken to the boy?” demanded John.