She saw
Peter abstracting the money, and so informed
Mrs. Crawford."
"I am not at all surprised. Peter is mean
enough to steal or do anything else. What
did my stepmother say?"
"She was very angry, and threatened to
discharge Jane; but, as no one would be left to
attend to the dinner, I presume she is likely
to stay."
"I ought to be forming some plan," said Carl,
thoughtfully.
"Wait till you hear from home. Julia will
see that your time is well filled up till then.
Dismiss all care, and enjoy yourself while you may."
This seemed to be sensible advice, and Carl
followed it. In the evening some young people
were invited in, and there was a round of
amusements that made Carl forget that he was
an exile from home, with very dubious prospects.
"You are all spoiling me," he said, as
Gilbert and he went upstairs to bed. "I am
beginning to understand the charms of home. To
go out into the world from here will be like
taking a cold shower bath."
"Never forget, Carl, that you will be
welcome back, whenever you feel like coming,"
said Gilbert, laying his band affectionately on
Carl's shoulder. "We all like you here."
"Thank you, old fellow! I appreciate the
kindness I have received here; but I must strike
out for myself."
"How do you feel about it, Carl?"
"I hope for the best. I am young, strong
and willing to work. There must be an opening
for me somewhere."
The next morning, just after breakfast, a letter
arrived for Carl, mailed at Edgewood Center.
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