“I'll do as you say, ma,” said Jonas, subdued.
The very next day Mr. Granville sent for Mrs. Brent. She lost no time in waiting upon him.
“Mrs. Brent,” he said, “I have decided to leave Philadelphia to-morrow.”
“Are you quite able, sir?” she asked, with a good assumption of sympathy.
“My doctor tells me I may venture. We shall travel in Pullman cars, you know. I shall secure a whole compartment, and avail myself of every comfort and luxury which money can command.”
“Ah, sir! money is a good friend in such a case.”
“True, Mrs. Brent. I have seen the time when I was poorly supplied with it. Now I am happily at ease. Can you and Philip be ready?”
“Yes, Mr. Granville,” answered Mrs. Brent promptly. “We are ready to-day, for that matter. We shall both be glad to get started.”
“I am glad to hear it. I think Philip will like his Western home. I bought a fine country estate of a Chicago merchant, whose failure compelled him to part with it. Philip shall have his own horse and his own servants.”
“He will be delighted,” said Mrs. Brent warmly. “He has been used to none of these things, for Mr. Brent and I, much as we loved him, had not the means to provide him with such luxuries.”