"A gentleman to see Mr. Frost," announced the girl, and entering the parlor Robert found himself confronted by his step-father.
"Good-morning, Robert," said James Talbot, smiling affably and extending his hand.
"Good-morning, Mr. Talbot," replied our hero coldly. He pretended not to see the outstretched hand.
"I suppose you are surprised to see me here," began Mr. Talbot awkwardly.
"I am surprised. How did you learn my address?"
"Never mind that now, Robert. I came to see how you are getting along."
"You ought to know. You got my letter, even if my mother didn't," answered Robert bitterly.
"I got no letter, my lad, upon my honor I did not. I came out of pure friendliness to you."
"Then let me tell you that I am doing very well."
"I heard something about your being out of work on account of a fire."
"Never mind who told me." James Talbot cleared his throat. "As you are out of work I thought perhaps that you would like to come to work for me."
"Exactly. I don't mean for you to go back to Granville. I am going to open a real-estate office in Chicago, and I shall want a clerk. I understand that you take to that sort of thing."
"I don't believe I'll take to clerking for you," returned Robert bluntly.
"Ahem! That is rather harsh of you, Robert. I mean to do well by you. Why not take a fresh start? I am sure we shall get along very well together."
"Are you going to give up the office you opened in Granville?"
"Not just yet. But I may in the future--after the office here is in full blast. I expect to make a big thing of the business here."
"A big business here means the investment of a lot of money," said the boy shrewdly. "Where is that to come from?"
"Never mind about the money. It will be forthcoming as it is needed."
"Is my mother going to let you have some of her money?"
"If she did, it would be no more than right that she should depend upon her husband in her investments."
"I wouldn't advise her to depend upon you. With your own money you can do as you please, but I don't think you ought to touch any of her funds."
"You are decidedly plain-spoken, boy!" cried James Talbot, frowning.
"Because one must speak plainly to such a man as you, Mr. Talbot. I don't know why my mother married you, but I think I know why you married my mother."