Roxy Hastings — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

ROXY HASTINGS. BA siderable for our rent expenses. The rest ought to be in- vested, but Charles seems to be so indifferent. He acts as if he thought we were rich.” “Why don’t you talk to him about it?” “TI dislike to, but I must; even his grandfather notices it, and talks about going to work again himself. He wants a suit of clothes; he is hardly respectable at church.” C. er why don’t you make him take back his money at—’ “He won’t take it Ihave urged him again and again. He says we are still poor, and that I don’t know how soon we shall spend everything, unless there is something com- ingin. He’s right, too, about that.” Charley was talked to. He looked perplexed. To be sure, here was cause of complaint, and he hardly knew what to reply. He began to think of calling on Mr. Incog- nito again, but after much reflection he decided on an en- tirely different course. He would take his relations into his confidence to a certain extent, far enough at least, to relieve them from any apprehensions of poverty, for who among them was there that would not carefully obey his injunctions of secrecy? Why should he deprive them longer of so much happiness? The truth once told he could freely supply them with every comfort and luxury, and yet without any ostentatious living, which would proclaim his wealth to the world. Having resolved on this he did not put his purpose in immediate execution, but he played a little with the ap- prehensions of his friends. “I am not quite idle,” he said to his mother; “I have been making some money, and expect to make more.” “It must be in some mysterious way, then. You are home half your time. I don’t like so much mystery.” “Do you believe I would do anything dishonest ?” “No, Charles, I do not.” “Then if I have enough to support you all, without using your money, ought not you to be satisfied ?” ‘““Why—yes—certainly—but it would be very strange. Do you mean to say you can do this?” “T mean to say that I have done it so far. I have used none of your money for household expenses. Your forty- two hundred dollars are invested in government bonds.” ‘‘Well, this is better than I expected.” “And if anybody wants anything let them say so.” “The major wants a suit of clothes.” Charley took out his pocket-book, (G0) Gomicboo (@) cS