"Yes, I have every reason to be thankful. I suppose I am worth two hundred thousand dollars."
Stephen Watson, whose god was money, almost turned green with jealousy. At the same time he asked himself how he could take advantage of his old schoolmate's good luck.
"I wish he would take a fancy to my Ralph," he thought.
So he called in Ralph, and introduced him to the rich stranger.
"He's a good boy, my Ralph," he said; "sober and correct in all his habits, and fond of study."
Ralph was rather surprised to hear this panegyric, but presently his father explained to him in private the object he had in view. Then Ralph made himself as agreeable as he could, but he failed to please Mr. Miller.
"He is too much like his father," he said to himself.
When he terminated his call, he received a very cordial invitation to come again on his return from California.
"If Kit has returned I certainly will come," he replied, an answer which pleased neither Ralph nor his father.