“I ought to go to New York in a day or two, but I hardly know how to spare the time.”
“On business?” inquired his wife.
“Yes; I draw a certain amount of interest money every quarter from Mr. Mellish, of Mellish & Co., No. — Wall Street, who has charge of some securities of mine. It was due a week since, and I may have occasion for it.”
“Why can’t you spare time to go?”
“I am to make a tour of inspection among the schools next week, and I have, besides, some extra writing to do.”
Mr. Julian chanced to be chairman of the school committee in Wilton, and the supervision of the schools brought him considerable labor.
“Mr. Julian,” said Tom, looking up from his writing, “couldn’t I do the business for you?”
The minister looked surprised.
“I don’t know but you could,” he said, after a pause of consideration. “Do you know your way about New York?”