“You’ll have to earn your own living,” said Mrs. Middleton spitefully. “You won’t find it for your interest to turn up your nose at your victuals.”
“I am more likely to turn up my nose at the want of them—as to-night,” answered Tom.
“You’ll be lucky if you always fare as well.”
“Perhaps so. Will you tell me, Mr. Middleton, if my whole fortune is gone? Is nothing left?”
“A few hundred dollars remain, I believe.”
“That is better than nothing. So I must now make my own way.”
“I am glad you see it,” sneered Corinthia.
“It seems to me rather a sudden collapse,” said Tom thoughtfully. “I must ask Mr. Sharp about it.”
“Mr. Sharp wishes you to come to Centerville to-morrow. You will find that my statement is perfectly correct.”
“I don’t doubt it,” said Tom. “If you and Mrs. Middleton were not quite convinced that my fortune was gone, you wouldn’t have treated me as you have this afternoon.”