"
And Pliny laughed again, while our hero walked off in disgust.
CHAPTER XVII
THE WAY OF THE WORLD
Frank felt like an impostor when he discovered that his cordial
reception was wholly owing to the belief that he was his mother's heir.
The situation was unpleasant, and he was impatient to have Mr. Tarbox
undeceived. He was sure that Pliny would lose no time in revealing his
true position, and decided not to return to the house of Mr. Tarbox till
nine o'clock, when the story would have been told.
He wandered about aimlessly till he heard the city clocks strike nine,
and then rang the bell at his relation's house.
The family, with the exception of the two younger children, were
assembled in the common sitting room.
As Frank entered, instead of the cordial welcome he had previously
received, he noticed a look of coldness and constraint on the faces of
Mr. and Mrs. Tarbox, while Pliny looked as if some stupendous joke was
being perpetrated.
"Good-evening!" said Frank, politely. "I have been taking a walk."
"My son Pliny tells me," said Mr. Tarbox, "that you have not inherited
your mother's property."
Frank bowed.
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