"I don't understand you, Mr. Huxter," said John, with dignity. "I have tried to treat you with proper respect."
"And I don't know why you have taken offence. I should like to know how long I am likely to be detained here on the business which has brought me here."
"Because I think it would be better for both of us that I should go to the hotel, if there is one in the village. I am afraid we are not likely to agree very well, and then I shall not interfere with any of your arrangements."
"Who do you expect is going to pay your hotel bills?" demanded Mr. Huxter, with a sneer.
"I think there will be no difficulty about that," said John.
"If you think my sister will pay any such bills you are mistaken."
"As I came here on business of hers she will probably pay it. If she is unwilling, I will pay it myself."
"Indeed!" said Mr. Huxter, pricking up his ears. "Where will you get the money?"
"I hope you will not take offence, Mr. Huxter, if I decline to answer that question."
Mr. Huxter was about to make an angry reply; but a moment's thought led him to change his purpose. He was anxious to find out how much money John had.
"Have you got money enough to keep you at the hotel a week?"
"Shall I need to remain here a week?" asked John, a little disturbed at the thought of having his studies interrupted for so long a time, especially as there seemed so little prospect of deriving any enjoyment from his visit.
"If I don't have money enough, I will write to Mrs. Oakley for more," he said.
"I can tell you beforehand that you won't get any."
"We won't dispute about that," said John. "I shall be glad to go about this business at once, as I do not wish to be kept away from my studies any longer than is absolutely necessary."
"I'm thinking, young man," said Mr. Huxter, "that it will be a good while before you go back to your Latin and Greek."
"Read that, and you'll know," said Mr. Huxter; and he drew a note from his pocket, and handed it to John.
John opened the note, little suspecting the nature of its contents. It was as follows:--
"JOHN OAKLEY:--I have made an arrangement with my brother to have you board with him for the present. As you and Benjamin find it so difficult to agree, it will be much better that you should live apart. If you had not treated him so brutally I should not be under the necessity of sending you away from home. I hope you will give my brother no trouble, but will follow his directions. He understands what course I wish him to pursue with you. If he reports favorably of you, I will send for you to return at a proper time."