"Are you going to read the rest of the letter?" she demanded.
"You have heard 'most all of it," I replied evasively.
"And the rest?" she said.
"Is of no interest," I answered. "It's just a few personal, confidential things. Perhaps some time I can tell you."
"Oh," she exclaimed carelessly, and went on knitting, drawing closer to the lamplight.
"How long is it since he left?" she asked at last, reaching down to untangle the worsted from the end of the rocker.
"Six weeks," said I. "It's just six weeks coming to-morrow since Tim and I parted at Pleasantville. To think he has been promoted already! At that rate he should be head of the firm in a year or two."
"Mr. Weston has been very kind," said she. "Of course he has seen that Tim had every chance. He is the most thoughtful man I ever knew. He——"
Weston's excellent qualities were well known to me. I had discovered them long ago, and I did not care to hear Mary descant on them at length. He had done much for Tim, but it was what Tim had done for himself that I was proud of, so I interrupted her rather rudely.
"Yes, he got Tim his place; but you must remember Mr. Weston has hardly been in New York a day since the boy left. He doesn't bother much about business, so, after all, Tim is working his way alone."