"
"He provokes her to do it. He is a headstrong,
obstinate boy."
"He never had that reputation at school, sir.
We all liked him."
"I suppose you mean to imply that I am in
fault?" said the doctor, warmly.
"I don't think you know how badly Mrs.
Crawford treats Carl, sir."
"Of course, of course. That is always said
of a stepmother."
"Not always, sir. I have a stepmother
myself, and no own mother could treat me better."
"You are probably a better boy."
"I can't accept the compliment. I hope
you'll excuse me saying it, Dr. Crawford, but
if my stepmother treated me as Carl says Mrs.
Crawford treats him I wouldn't stay in the
house another day."
"Really, this is very annoying," said Dr.
Crawford, irritably. "Have you come here
from Warren to say this?"
"No, sir, not entirely."
"Perhaps Carl wants me to receive him back.
I will do so if he promises to obey his stepmother."
"That he won't do, I am sure."
"Then what is the object of your visit?"
"To say that Carl wants and intends to earn
his own living. But it is hard for a boy of
his age, who has never worked, to earn enough
at first to pay for his board and clothes. He
asks, or, rather, I ask for him, that you will
allow him a small sum, say three or four
dollars a week, which is considerably less than
he must cost you at home, for a time until he
gets on his feet."
"I don't know," said Dr. Crawford, in a
vacillating tone. "I don't think Mrs. Crawford
would approve this."
"It seems to me you are the one to decide,
as Carl is your own son.
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