XVIII
BUDD'S PROPOSAL
Before Mr. Clyde and Jack left the next day, Budd sought an opportunity to interview the latter on a subject, that, for a few weeks past, had been occupying many of his thoughts. The applause, with which his Christmas-day toast had been greeted, had encouraged him to seek an occasion for acquiring more definite knowledge on a subject which lay near his heart. It came when Jack was packing his dress-suit case in the guest chamber.
There was a knock on the half-opened door.
"Come in," said Jack, and Budd made his appearance.
"Halloo, Budd! What can I do for you? Any commissions in New York, or Boston?"
"Don't know what you mean by commissions," replied Budd, cautiously, thrusting both hands deep into the pockets of his knickerbockers, and spreading his sturdy legs to a wide V.
"Anything I can buy with that hen-and-jam money you helped to earn?--you did well, Budd, on that. I congratulate you."
"I have n't any of that money left. You see, we voted to give it to March to go to college with. But I 've got two quarters an' a dollar--Christmas presents, you know; an' that 'll do, won't it?" he asked rather anxiously.
"Well, that depends on what you buy," said Jack, with due seriousness.