“Jonas, get up. I want to speak to you.”
“I am awfully tired, mother. I can hear you while I lie here.”
“Jonas, do you hear me? I am about to speak to you of something no other person must hear. Get a chair and draw it close to mine.”
Jonas rose, his curiosity stimulated by his mother's words and manner.
“Is it about the letter, mother?” he asked.
“Yes, it relates to the letter and our journey to-morrow.”
Jonas had wondered what the letter was about and who had sent his mother the hundred-dollar check, and he made no further objection. He drew a chair in front of his mother and said:
“Go ahead, mother, I'm listening.”
“Would you like to be rich, Jonas?” asked Mrs. Brent.
“Wouldn't I?”