“That may be; but if you don't treat him as he ought to be treated, he will run away, take my word for it.”
“If he does, he'll be brought back, take my word for that, Mrs. Bickford. I shall treat him as I think he deserves, but as to petting and pampering the young rascal I shall do nothing of the kind.”
“I don't think you will,” said the housekeeper. “However, I've warned you.”
“You seem to take a good deal of interest in the boy,” said Abner, sneeringly.
“Yes, I do.”
“After half an hour's acquaintance.”
“I've known him long enough to see that he's better than the common run of boys, and I hope that he'll stay.”
“There's no doubt about that,” said Abner Holden, significantly. “He'll have to stay, whether he wants to or not.”