"Can you direct me to the house of Dr. Crawford?"
asked a stranger.
The inquiry was addressed to Peter Cook
in front of the hotel in Edgewood Center.
"Yes, sir; he is my stepfather!"
"Indeed! I did not know that my old friend
was married again. You say you are his stepson?"
"Yes, sir."
"He has an own son, about your age, I should judge."
"That's Carl! he is a little older than me."
"Is he at home?"
"No," answered Peter, pursing up his lips.
"Is he absent at boarding school?"
"No; he's left home."
"Indeed!" ejaculated the stranger, in surprise.
"How is that?"
"He was awfully hard to get along with, and
didn't treat mother with any respect. He
wanted to have his own way, and, of course,
ma couldn't stand that."
"I see," returned the stranger, and he eyed
Peter curiously. "What did his father say
to his leaving home?" he asked.
"Oh, he always does as ma wishes."
"Was Carl willing to leave home?"
"Yes; he said he would rather go than obey ma."
"I suppose he receives an allowance from his father?"
"No; he wanted one, but ma put her foot down
and said he shouldn't have one."
"Your mother seems to be a woman of considerable firmness."
"You bet, she's firm. She don't allow no boy to boss her."
"Really, this boy is a curiosity," said Reuben Ashcroft
to himself. "He doesn't excel in the amiable
and attractive qualities. He has a sort of brutal
frankness which can't keep a secret."
"How did you and Carl get along together?" he asked, aloud.
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