“I might have known it. Such boys as you always have good mothers. Supposing I was able to pay my share of the expenses, do you think your mother would give me a home?”
“I am sure she would,” said Harry, who could not help feeling interest in the homely, but good-hearted, old man. “But I thought——” here he hesitated.
“You thought I was destitute, didn’t you?” asked Uncle Obed, with a smile.
“Yes, sir.”
“I’m thankful to Providence that I’m not. I’ve got enough to pay my way for the few years that remain to me. My niece might treat me different if she knew it, but I’d rather she’d think I was in need.”
“Shall I speak to my mother about your coming?” asked Harry.
“Yes; but I won’t come just yet. I want to see how Lucindy’ll act. She wants to get rid of me, and she’ll be saying something soon. Like as not, she’ll offer to pay my fare back to Illinoy,” and the shrewd old man, who had hit the truth, laughed.
“Very well, sir, I’ll speak to mother. We’ve got a nice room that we’ve kept for a spare chamber, where I’m sure you’d be comfortable.”
“I don’t much care now what Lucindy says or does,” said the old man, cheerfully. “If Philip won’t have me for a great-uncle, I’ll have to adopt you in his place, and I guess I’ll make a good exchange.”
“Thank you, sir. I shall try to treat you as a nephew ought. Good-evening.”