Of course, now that his resources were increased to nearly nineteen dollars, it was the simplest thing possible to start over again. He could take a train at about five o’clock that would put him down in New York City at half past six. Then he could pay for lodgings—at a sailor’s boarding house, of course—and in the morning look for a berth. It was all simple and easy. In fact, it was too simple and easy. The glamour had gone from it. Anybody could run away and be a sailor with nineteen dollars in his pocket!
On the other hand, with his new wealth he could return to school with his head up, pay all his debts and still be a person of affluence. It would be rather good fun, too. When the fellows came demanding their quarters returned he could smile carelessly and pull a whole handful of silver from his pocket and pay them. Still, it would be distinctly unsatisfactory to be a man of means and have to keep “in bounds” for a month or six weeks. And the Doctor might think of some even more horrible method of punishment, too! And if he had to donate ten dollars of the eighteen-sixty-two to the trophy fund and pay back all the fellows who had invested in Tinkham’s Throat-Ease, why, he wouldn’t be so rich after all. Whereas, if he didn’t go back he would not only escape punishment but retain his wealth. It was a good deal of a problem.
And perhaps he would have sat there a good deal longer without arriving at any decision if, at what was a psychological moment, there had not stolen out to him from the little white-clapboarded, green-shuttered house behind him an appealing odor of cooking. Kid sat up and sniffed. It smelled like stew, probably lamb stew; lamb stew with onions and carrots and turnips and potatoes all cut up in it and smothered in a rich, thick white gravy! Kid’s stomach decided the matter for him. Kid got up from that bench and, with feet and legs that were very sore and tired, tramped back to school.
On the way he prepared his explanation. He need say nothing about running away. If anyone asked him he need only explain that he had grown tired of staying in bed and had gone for a walk. He would be scolded, probably, but scoldings didn’t hurt. Besides, he had only to thrust a hand into any one of three pockets to feel the comforting assurance of wealth. But when he walked up the drive from the gate to the front door, doing it as unostentatiously as possible and assuming the languid, careless air of an invalid out for exercise, he was both surprised and relieved to find no one in sight. A moment’s reflection told him that, as it was still short of four o’clock, all the fellows were in the schoolrooms. Why, he might even reach his own room without anyone being the wiser!
He opened the big front door very cautiously, very quietly, and stepped inside. The hall was empty and not a sound reached him save the ticking of the big clock on the landing of the stairs. He grinned and moved noiselessly toward the clock, past it and to his room. With the door closed behind him he chuckled. Then he looked around him curiously. Not a thing was changed! Of course he knew that he had been away less than three hours, but it seemed more like a week to him! A great deal had happened in those three hours! He emptied his pockets of the money—it almost filled the collar-box!—removed the few trinkets he had started away with and then, undressing quickly, got back to bed. Half an hour later, when Stanley opened the door cautiously, Kid was fast asleep.
XV
LANNY TRIES HIGH FINANCE
When Kid awoke it was to the feeling that he was not alone. But a sleepy glance around the room failed to discover anyone and it was only when his eyes reached the door and he saw the portal slowly closing that he was certain his senses had not deceived him. He sat up and said, “Hi, there!” and the door reopened, revealing Mrs. Merton and Nan.
“I’m afraid we woke you, James,” said the Doctor’s wife. “I’m so sorry!”
“I guess I’ve slept enough, ma’am,” said Kid.