“And you are probably convinced by this time that you were a fool to leave home.”
“No, sir; I have seen something of the world. Besides, there was nothing for me to do here.”
“Where did you go?”
“To California.”
Mr. Simpson started, and carefully scrutinized Tom’s face, but it told him nothing.
“There was nothing for me to do here,” continued Tom.
“Mr. Simpson said the other day that he would take you back into his shop,” said Mrs. Thatcher.
Tom looked inquiringly at the rich man, who said, coldly: “At present there is no vacancy. There may not be any for some months.”
“But how am I to live in the meantime?” asked Tom.