“He wanted me to be your guardeen. It stands to reason a boy of sixteen ain’t to be trusted with so much money. Now I’m an experienced man of business, and I’m willin’ to be your guardeen, and I won’t charge you a cent for takin’ care of your property except board money.”
“Thank you, Mr. Fox,” said Harry, with an amused smile, “but I am offered a place in New York at fifteen dollars a week, and I have friends who will advise me about the investment of my money.”
“Fifteen dollars a week!” repeated Mr. Fox dolefully. “Can’t you get a place for Joel in the same store?”
“If I can find Joel a satisfactory place in the city I will do so,” said Harry, “but I ought to say that my employer only pays me high wages out of favour.”
“I’ll take ten,” said Joel eagerly. “You know you and me was always friends, Harry.”
“Joel always liked you,” said politic Mr. Fox.
Harry knew better, but he was on good terms with the world, and he did not dispute this statement.
“I’ll do what I can,” he said. “Meanwhile, Mr. Fox, I should like to make Joel and his sister a small present.”
He gave them each a ten-dollar bill, which made Joel’s eyes sparkle with joy.
Mr. Fox renewed his suggestion that Harry select him as a “guardeen,” but Harry politely but firmly declined to entertain the proposal. Nevertheless, when he left the house, he was warmly urged to come again and often. He understood the reason of the cordiality, and knew very well that if he had come back poor his reception would have been very different.