“Nellie, let us make the best of it and go on our trip,” coaxed Austin.
“I will do it for your sake, but all the fun of it is spoiled for me,” said Nell with a sigh.
“Maybe not, sister. I believe you will enjoy yourself well with my friends there, and we shall have enough money to take us sightseeing all over the city. I will give you the very best time I can, and we shall do our shopping as we have opportunity during the winter.”
So Nell was comforted and made willing to go with her brother. The trip was, after all, a very pleasant one. She met a number of his friends, and found herself very happy in the home of their host. Too, it was pleasant to have cooking and housework off her mind for a week, and to go about with Austin looking at the pretty things she could not buy, and enjoying the beautiful parks and drives of the city. The expedition was far from a failure to her, though of course her shopping-excursion was spoiled.
School-days were at hand again, and it was with much satisfaction that Austin saw the children back in school. Harry had kept his promise and was now with them. He was a lad of thirteen, unusually tall and well-developed for his age. There was much in his bearing and manner to remind one of Austin, and he possessed a kindred spirit to that of his brother. But in his knocking about working when and where he could and “taking care of himself,” as he called it, he had been sadly missing his chance for education. That he was now with them and busy in the schoolroom gave much pleasure to Austin, who could appreciate the need the boy would later find of learning.
CHAPTER 25. — HARRY HILL
“I got it today,” announced Austin at the supper-table.
“Oh, Austin! Will you have to go? What will become of all of us?” and the young faces about the table looked the grave concern each one felt. “I can not tell. I hardly think so. If having a family keeps a man at home I think I can be exempted on that score,” and he smiled cheerfully as he looked about him.