He hints nothing of the kind. He
evidently means to raise himself gradually as
his employer did before him. By the way, he
has a home in his employer's family. I think
Mr. Jennings must have taken a fancy to Carl."
"I hope he will find him more agreeable than
I did," said Mrs. Crawford, sharply.
"Are you quite sure that you always treated
Carl considerately, my dear?"
"I didn't flatter or fondle him, if that is
what you mean. I treated him as well as he
could expect."
"Did you treat him as well as Peter, for example?"
"No. There is a great difference between the
two boys. Peter is always respectful and obliging,
and doesn't set up his will against mine.
He never gives me a moment's uneasiness."
"I hope you will continue to find him a
comfort, my dear," said Dr. Crawford, meekly.
He looked across the table at the fat,
expressionless face of his stepson, and he blamed
himself because he could not entertain a
warmer regard for Peter. Somehow he had
a slight feeling of antipathy, which he tried
to overcome.
"No doubt he is a good boy, since his mother
says so," reflected the doctor, "but I don't
appreciate him. I will take care, however, that
neither he nor his mother sees this."
When Peter heard his mother's encomium
upon him, he laughed in his sleeve.
"I'll remind ma of that when she scolds me,"
he said to himself. "I'm glad Carl isn't coming
back. He was always interferin' with me.
Now, if ma and I play our cards right we'll
get all his father's money.
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