Eugene’s pale face flushed. “Could I become a pauper? No, Mr. Officer. If I do not receive some of the rents from my grandfather’s estate, I shall dispose of myself otherwise.”
“How long since you’ve been out doors?” asked the sergeant abruptly.
“Not since my grandfather died,” said Eugene sadly. “I have not cared for it.”
“Will you go home with me now and have supper?” asked the sergeant. “I would be proud and happy to show you my wife.”
Before Eugene could speak, a clapping of hands was heard. Virtue Ann had come quietly in, and had heard the sergeant’s proposal. “Yes, Master Eugene, do go,” she said joyfully.
Eugene hesitated. “Do, please,” said Virtue Ann coaxingly; “it will do you good.”
“Very well, sir, I accept with alacrity your invitation,” said Eugene, slipping from his chair, and standing before the sergeant. “It is necessary that I put on my velvet suit,” he went on, with a slight sparkle in his eyes, and addressing Virtue Ann as he passed her.
“Yes, yes,” she replied; “I will come and get it down for you.”
In a few minutes she came hurrying back to the sergeant. “I’m right glad you asked him, sir. I never was in such a tight box in my life as to know what to do about this child. You see, I’m a stranger here, as you might say, for I’ve only been four months in the city; and his grandfather didn’t seem to have any friends, and I don’t know any one to go to, and his money is most gone, and he’s such a queer little thing, and flies into a rage if I cross him; and I don’t know what to do, and I wish you’d advise him. I asked Bridget to talk to Mrs. Manning about him,—that’s the little girl’s mother; but she says the lady would clap him into a school or some place with a lot of children, where he’d be most crazy. I’ll go see Bridget again to-night. I wish I’d money to keep the little dear with me, if he’d stay. He’s so sweet and elegant in his ways; but I’m only a poor girl, and I’m getting pretty near my last dollar—oh, here he is! Good-by, Master Eugene; I’ll call for you at nine.”
The sergeant and Eugene went slowly down the staircase, and Virtue Ann stood watching them until they were out of sight. Then she drew a long sigh, and went into the kitchen to get something to eat.