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Herbert Carter's Legacy; Or, the Inventor's Son

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Год написания книги
2018
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“Yes,” said Herbert, “but it would be hard to get at.”

“Oh, of course a road would have to be built connecting with the highway. Perhaps you will build a house there when you are a rich man.”

“Then I shall have to wait a few years,” said Herbert.

“You wouldn’t be the first poor boy that has grown rich. My own father is rich now, but when he was of your age he was only a poor ‘bobbin boy’ working at scanty pay in the factory of which he is now owner.”

“I should like to be rich for my mother’s sake,” said Herbert.

“With money one can do a great deal of good, though not all rich men choose to apply their riches worthily. How smooth the water is to-day! Isn’t there a boat somewhere that we can use?”

“There’s one a few rods from here, but it belongs to James Leech.”

“Would it do to take it, do you think?”

“It might do for you but not for me.”

“Why not for you?”

“James and I are not very good friends.”

“Why not?”

“He looks down upon me because I am poor.”

“So he is inclined to put on airs on account of his father’s money?”

“I should say he is.”

“Let us go and see the boat at any rate.”

Herbert led the way through a meadow to a clump of trees, where a small rowboat floated upon the water.

“Does Leech often go out in it?”

“Two or three times a week.”

“It is just about large enough for two, though it would easily accommodate one more.”

“Yes.”

“If I thought your friend would not be round I should be tempted to try it for half an hour.”

“I think you might venture.”

“Jump in, then, and we’ll push out.”

Herbert shook his head.

“If the boat belonged to anyone but James Leech I would go; but I don’t like him well enough to take any liberty with anything of his.”

“Perhaps you are right. Would you mind sitting down and waiting for me twenty minutes or half an hour?”

“Oh, no; it will be pleasant.”

“Then here goes.”

Cameron jumped into the boat, pushed off and began to row in a style that showed he was accustomed to the exercise. The pond was so small that it was not easy for him to get out of sight.

Herbert sat down, not without a secret longing to be in the boat also; but he did not care to place himself under any obligations to James.

Suddenly he heard a hasty step behind him. Looking up, he saw the owner of the boat close at hand.

James Leech looked for his boat and saw that it was gone. Then his gaze fell upon our hero.

“What have you done with my boat, Carter?” he demanded, peremptorily.

“What makes you ask such a question, Leech?” answered Herbert.

“Why do you call me Leech?” said James, angrily.

“For the same reason you call me Carter, I suppose.”

“There’s a great difference between us,” said James.

“That’s true,” assented Herbert.

“And you ought to treat me with proper respect.”

“I treat you with all the respect you deserve.”

“You haven’t answered my question,” said James.

“What question?”

“Where is my boat?”

“Out on the pond. Look and you will see it.”

James looked where Herbert pointed.

“Who is that in that boat?” he demanded, angrily.

“Mr. Cameron.”

“Who’s he?”

“A boarder at the hotel.”
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