"Quite so. Miss Dearborn has promised her as much work as she can do, at about three times the rate you are willing to pay. Good-evening!"
"I believe I hate Miss Dearborn?" inwardly commented the vexed Miss Framley. "Somehow she interferes with me in everything I undertake. If she chooses to throw away her money, I sha'n't. And now where am I to find another seamstress like Mrs. Palmer? I wish I hadn't offended her."
But it was too late. Miss Framley must pay the penalty of her meanness.
Paul walked home, feeling that the day had been an unusually satisfactory one. Yet how little can we foresee the future? Within the next twenty-four hours a great danger menaced him.
CHAPTER XXII.
AN UNEXPECTED CHANGE.
Paul was on his way home, when, in turning a corner, he came face to face with his step-brother, Stephen. The latter was much better dressed than when Paul last saw him. He had thrown aside the shabby and soiled suit, which had seen service so long that it looked entitled to be relieved upon a pension. He wore now a new suit, which did not fit him particularly well, having evidently been purchased at a ready-made clothing store, but it was at least new, and made Stephen look as respectable as the nature of the case would admit.
"Hallo, young one!" said Stephen, with a grin; "where are you bound?"
"I'm going home," answered Paul, surveying his half-brother with a puzzled glance.