“Then Tom has lost all his fortune,” said Mr. Middleton in consternation.
“It is more than likely,” answered the lawyer gravely.
“It is a terrible misfortune,” said Nathan, wiping his forehead with his red silk handkerchief. But he thought rather of the loss to himself than to Tom.
“Of course we must make some different arrangements for him.”
“You said something was left, didn’t you?” inquired Nathan.
“Yes; a few hundred dollars.”
“That will pay his board a few months longer.”
“And leave him penniless at the end! My dear sir, do you imagine he is in a situation to pay twenty dollars a week for board?”
“I might take him for a little less,” said Nathan reluctantly.
“It would have to be a great deal less. These four hundred dollars—possibly five—are all that the boy is sure of. They must be husbanded. My idea is, that he should be sent to a cheap boarding-school for a year, or else begin to learn some business at once. Under the changed circumstances five dollars a week must be the limit charged for his board.”