My heart sank within me.
“I am sorry to hear it,” I replied, gloomily.
“Tom Flynn has the inside track.”
As usual! It seemed to be laid down as the immutable law of circumstances that Tom should always come out just a little ahead of me. I was vexed. Tom had six hundred dollars a year, while I had but five hundred. It was cruel and unjust to me. His income was to be doubled, and mine to remain as it was.
“I was afraid Tom would get ahead of me,” I added. “But I would rather he should have the place than any other person, if I can’t get it.”
“Nonsense, Paley. Don’t talk bosh! I haven’t given up all hope yet, by any means. Tom is well enough, I dare say, but you must have this place, if possible.”
“I should like to have it,” I added, hopelessly.
“Paley, what was that story about Tom which was kept so still in Springhaven?” continued Captain Halliard in a low tone. “I heard your mother say something about it, when she was speaking about your being intimate with him. I have forgotten about it.”
“His employers in Springhaven thought that he took money from the safe.”
“Exactly so; that was the idea,” added my uncle, rubbing his hands involuntarily.