He took little share in the conversation, sitting quietly on the sofa—on the same sofa and in the very spot where he had made his terrible confession to us several weeks before. As the visitors one after another departed Howard still sat there, seemingly determined to be the last to go. By eleven o’clock all had left the room except Howard, Ray, and myself. Almost before the door had closed upon the last visitor, Howard rose up, and taking a thick envelope from his pocket placed it upon the table in front of Ray.
“There, Ray,” he said in accents of genuine satisfaction, “I came in to give you that.”
Ray opened the envelope in wonder. A thick roll of bills fell out.
“Why, Howard,” he exclaimed, “what does all this money mean?”
“It means that I am determined you shall be repaid every cent I owe you as fast as I can earn it,” answered Howard. “There is my first payment, four hundred dollars, and I will pay you the rest as soon as possible. I haven’t had an easy moment until now——”
“But, Howard,” burst out Ray, “I didn’t intend you to worry so about it. I meant you to take your time—why, how on earth did you raise all this money?—excuse my question, but you know you said you were in straitened circumstances.”
“I understand you,” answered Howard quietly, “but it is all right. I have earned it. I went to Professor Fuller for advice, and he suggested my tutoring some of the under classmen, and when I accepted the idea, he and Mr. Dykes secured me several pupils in the Sophomore and Freshman classes—fellows who were behind in their studies and needed coaching.”
“Howard, you are doing splendidly,” said Ray warmly. “I understand your feelings, and I admire you for them. They are of the right sort.”
“Then you are satisfied with your investment?” said Howard, with a slight smile.