"And that it has gone to your stepfather."
"It seems so."
"I am amazed."
"So was I, sir."
"Your mother has practically disinherited you?"
"It was not my mother, sir," said Frank, hastily. "I can't explain it,
but I'm sure she would not will away everything from me."
"Do you suspect your stepfather of anything irregular?" asked Mr.
Tarbox, briskly.
"I would rather not answer your question, sir. I don't care to make any
charges which I cannot prove."
"And so Mr. Manning has sent you out into the world to earn your own
living, has he?"
"No, sir. He has consented that I may do so. It was my own plan."
Much as Frank was prejudiced against his stepfather, his natural sense
of justice would not allow him to accuse him unjustly.
"Did he suggest that you should come to me?" asked Mr. Tarbox, in a
tone which Frank did not like.
"No, sir."
"So that was your idea, too," continued Mr. Tarbox, with a palpable
sneer.
"Yes, sir," answered Frank. "You are not a very near relative, but the
nearest I know of, and I supposed you would be willing to give me some
advice about the best means of earning my living. I remembered," he
could not help adding, "that my mother received you all as guests for a
considerable time, and I thought I might take the liberty.
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