Mrs. Thatcher uttered a glad cry of surprise as Tom entered
[Page 247.]
“Yes; that will be better than nothing. Take it for awhile, Tom. I can’t have you go away again just yet.”
“I’ll see about it, mother.”
Then Mrs. Thatcher told Tom that Mr. Simpson was coming the next day to arrange about a mortgage on the place.
“That is, if you think it best, Tom.”
“Let him come, mother. We will talk it over. I shall want to see him myself about business.”
“You won’t say anything to irritate him, Tom? You know he might refuse to give you a place again in the shop.”
“And that would be a misfortune,” said Tom, smiling.
“Of course. That will enable you to stay at home with me, and we can be so happy together, Tom. We may live poorly, but if we are together, we won’t mind that.”
“It seems good to be at home again, mother, but I have something important to say to you.”