Roxy Hastings — page 40: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ROXY HASTINGS. 31 until she is sent for by those who have a right to control her movements ?” “A boarder! Ha, ha, ha!” said Polly. Again the laugh went around, but Miss Hastings did not seem disturbed by it. She watched young Lee with won- dering, eloquent eyes, and she listened for the answer. “Wal, I dun know. What do you mean by liberal terms? I’ll keep her for two dollars a day, and she may set in the parlor, and twirl her thumbs all day.” The farmer seemed to think he had named a staggering price. “That will do.” “To be paid in advance for a fortnight, at least.” “ Agreed.” “And if she ain’t come for in that time, or if she is come for, no matter how soon, and we can persuade her ‘mother that this is the best place for her, then things to be as they was, and I to keep the money.” “All right. Give me a receipt for the money,” said Charley, taking out his pocket-book, and counting out the bills without noticing the ravenous looks which seemed to pierce the pile whence they were taken. . “J ain’t afeard of her mother taking her away,” said the squire, writing the receipt. “‘She is glad enough to have her off her hands, and in a good home.” Miss Hastings did not seem to feel assured herself on this point, for; of course, she did not yet know to what ex- tent Mr. Lee was able or willing to assist her mother. She knew, indeed, nothing of his sale to Mr. Ogilvie, for he had had no opportunity to speak with her apart. But that he would inevitably profit largely by her ad- vice, if he had not already done so, she was certain, and, therefore, she was yet reluctant to receive favors from him which might be regarded as at least partly her due. Not that she was any the less grateful to him for his prompt and ready assistance, but it was by reflections like these that she soothed her wounded pride. CHAPTER V. CHARLEY IS ROBBED. In Mr. Rooke’s stable, late that evening, a conference was held, which might have disturbed the sensibilities of Eomicbooks (e(o)