Mr. Newcombe was on time that evening, for, just as the clock struck five, Tom heard his step in the hall. The unpleasant interview was not far distant, and Tom began to prepare himself for it by plunging his face into the wash-bowl, and trying to hide all traces of his tears. Scarcely had he performed this operation, when he heard his father calling him. Hastily drying his face upon the towel, he slowly descended to the library, where he found the merchant walking up and down the floor, with his hands behind his back.
"Close the door, Tom," said he, "and sit down; I want to talk to you."
Tom reluctantly obeyed, and Mr. Newcombe continued: "I have been down to the ship-yard to look at your new yacht."
"O, now, she doesn't belong to me yet!" drawled Tom, whirling his cap in his hand, and looking down at the floor.
"Why, I understand that she was built by your order," said the merchant. "I think she is a splendid little vessel. I admire your taste, but I should have been much better pleased if you had consulted me in the matter."
Tom looked down at the carpet, and had nothing to say. He thought that, if he had asked his father's advice, the yacht would not have been built at all.
"Four hundred dollars is a good price to pay for a pleasure-boat," continued Mr. Newcombe. "I think the Mystery is quite large enough, and fast enough, to answer your purpose."
"O no, she isn't, father," drawled Tom; "I am going to be a trader!"
"You are? How do you expect to carry on your business? With that sloop, your expenses will be considerable, and you have no money that I know of."
"But I am going to get some," said Tom. "I'll be rich in two weeks more. I'll be worth five thousand dollars."
Mr. Newcombe opened his eyes when he heard this. He had learned the particulars of the matter from Mr. Graves, as far as the latter knew them, but he was satisfied that he had not heard all the story, and that Tom had some secret the boat-builder knew nothing about. Knowing Tom as well as he did, he had made up his mind to listen to something ridiculous, but he was not prepared to hear that he expected soon to be a rich man.
"Where are you going to get so much money?" he asked.
"Well, then, tell me; I would like to know something about it also."