Chapter XXXII. Hope Deferred - Page 2

along, bub," said Abner.

This was the name he gave to Herbert, whom he liked in his own rough way.

"I don't think," said Herbert, as they walked along, "that your mother can have got any letter written by my father. If she had, she would not be out of money."

"I reckon you're right. Do you think that Ford feller will send money for your board?"

"I think he will, if he can, for he wants to keep me here; but I don't think he has much money with him."

"All the worse for marm."

"Abner," said Herbert, after a pause, during which he had been thinking seriously, "would you mind running away pretty soon?"

"No, bub; I'm ready any time. Are you in a hurry?"

"You see, Abner, I don't want to live on your mother. She isn't rich--"

"No, I guess not. Ef she hadn't married sech a good-for-nothin' as dad--"

"I wouldn't speak so of your father, Abner."

"Why not? Isn't it the truth? Dad's no grit. He gits drunk whenever he has a chance. Marm's a good, hard-workin' woman. She'd git along well enough ef she was alone."

"At any rate, she can't afford to board me for nothing. So I am ready to start whenever you are, Abner."

"Suppose we get up early to-morror and start?"

"How early?"

"Three o'clock. Marm gets up at five. We must be on the road before that time."

"I'm willing, Abner. You must wake me up in time."

"You'd better go to bed early, bub, and git all the sleep you can. We'll have a hard day to-morrer."