“Kate, dear,” he replied, “I have a reason for wishing that Frank should go with me this morning, and you may meet me this afternoon at five. I’m coming home early to-day. Good-bye, my child,” and he gave the disappointed face a kiss and went out. Kate followed, thinking to find Frank for her father. The boy was already at the stable.
“Come, Frank!” said Mr. Hallock, “I wish you to go with me this morning.”
“Can’t Kate go, or Hugo?” returned Frank. “The tide is just right for fishing and it will use up half an hour or more.”
“Get in,” said his father, sternly. With a frown and a surly air, Frank slipped into the light wagon and threw himself upon the seat.
“Never mind, Frank,” urged Kate in a low voice, close to the wheel on Frank’s side. As the horse started, she added: “I’ll have the fishing-tackle all ready for you, and the bait, too, if I can.”
Mr. Hallock drove and not a word had been spoken when they reached the village. As they were passing along the principal street, Mr. Hallock said:
“My son, I am in the midst of cares and business difficulties that you cannot understand. Your mother and myself are willing to do many things this winter, in order to send you to school. We do it gladly, out of love for you. If you could stay fourteen a year or two, it would not matter so much whether or not you went this winter; but time is precious. Now, my boy, Kate told me last night that Mr. North suggested taking your boat, and I wish you to part from it cheerfully and without a word of repining. It is yours, and it is you who must write to him to-day and tell him that he can have it.”
“But, father—” and then came the signal of the advancing train. In two minutes Mr. Hallock was upon it on his way to New York and Frank was rushing with speed through the village on his way home, cherishing, as he went, no very kind feeling toward his sister Kate.
Having left the horse, he was going toward the boathouse, when Kate appeared on the highway, carrying a basket.
“I was afraid to stay a minute longer,” she said, when they came within speaking distance. “I was so afraid you would be gone, Frank. I found a few clams—look! enough to keep you in bait quite awhile,” Kate continued, speaking very rapidly, as though apprehensive of interruption. “You know, Frank, you are going to be a beautiful brother and let Mr. North have the Clover; and mamma said I might go fishing with you to-day, if you would keep inside the harbor.”