“Oh, Mr. W——, you are too good. Ten dollars a week more will make the little woman at home feel as rich as a Vanderbilt.”
“So much the better, Mr. Jones. Your baby is growing, and so will your expenses increase. Go on with everything. I have a great deal to do to get ready—have to go home, and up town to see Mr. Legare, and shall be out most of the day.”
“I’ll do my best, sir, and I think I’ll please you,” said the happy foreman, as he turned and left the office.
Within ten minutes the news had spread all over the shop. There was a little buzz of excitement, but the discipline of the establishment was perfect, and the work went on as steadily and smoothly as ever.
Mr. W—— spent an hour or more over his books and pay-rolls, then he wrote and sealed a long letter, which was to be given to Miss Butler when she returned, and a separate open note, asking her to take a table in the office when she came back, and to help Mr. Jones with his accounts and pay-rolls.
This done, Mr. Jones was again called, the letters handed to him, all explanations made, and then Mr. W—— left for his home to make preparations there, and have a small trunk packed with necessary clothing, and to go up to Fifth avenue to carry the news, which he was permitted to reveal, from Miss Butler, as she was still to be known until she chose to throw off her incognito, and to tell them of his sudden intention to leave for California, to there extend his business.
His own family, having often discussed this trip to California, were not at all surprised at his decision to start at once, for he was one of those prompt, decisive men in business who take things sharply and move without making any noise about it.
His father gave him a little advice, and an unlimited letter of credit.
His sisters wept a little, but packed his trunk nicely, for though they often had little jars with him, he was a good brother, and very dear to them.
When he had seen to all these things, and knew that he was ready to start on the earliest train next day, he took the carriage and rode up to the mansion of Mr. Legare.