“‘Not at all, boy, if you marry her!’
“Of course I could not refuse, and so, to cut it short, we were married right off and here we are, the representatives of the great firm of Thompson and Company, of California.”
“Then, do you mean to say that Thompson is gone?” Inquired Ned, with a look of horror.
“Near the Horn, I should think, by this time; but why so anxious?”
“Because,” sighed Ned, sitting down on the edge of the bed, with a look of despair, “I came here by his invitation; and—”
“Oh! it’s all right,” interrupted Tom; “I know all about it, and am commissioned by him to settle the affair for you.”
“But what is the affair?” inquired Ned, eagerly.
“Ah! my dear boy, do try to exercise patience. If I tell you everything before we go down to our comrades, I fear we shall have to send a message to say that we are not coming till to-morrow morning.”
Tom rose as he spoke, and led the way to the parlour, where bread and cheese were spread out for them.
“The only drawback to my felicity,” whispered Tom to Sinton, as they entered, “is that I find Thompson’s affairs far worse than he himself was aware of; and it’s a fact, that at this moment I can scarcely draw enough out of the business to supply the necessaries of life.”