“All right. I will give you the money now if you will give me a paper acknowledging the receipt, and what it is for.”
Grant had brought a hundred dollars with him, and handed over to Jerry Cooper the sum he had mentioned, receiving back a receipt. This he put into his pocket with a sense of satisfaction. He felt that now the die was cast, and he was really bound for California; that he had taken the first step on the road to fortune.
On his way home he chanced to meet Rodney Bartlett. Rodney was walking with an affected step and swinging his cane. He had an idea that he was a striking figure and excited the admiration of all whom he met.
When his eyes fell on Grant, he started in genuine surprise.
“How do you happen to be over here, Grant Colburn?” he asked.
“Oh, come over on an errand for my grandfather, I suppose.”
“Oh, so you have business of your own?” he said, in a ironical tone.
“I don’t think you would feel interested in it.”
“Look here, Grant, I don’t believe you have any business here at all,” said Rodney rudely.
“It makes little difference to me what you think,” returned Grant briefly.
“I think you are playing truant from the farm—that you have come over here to get rid of work. If I were grandfather I wouldn’t let you come. I’d keep you at work.”
“You are very kind and considerate, as usual, Rodney. However, you are mistaken in one thing.”
“You think I am in the employ of your grandfather.”
“What do you mean? Has grandfather discharged you?”
“No, I have discharged myself. I don’t expect to work for your grandfather any longer.”
“What are you going to do? Do you expect to live without work?”
“No; I expect to work harder next year than ever before.”
“I don’t understand you,” said Rodney, puzzled. “Are you trying to fool me?”
“I had a talk with John Heywood. He told me he thought I would succeed in making money.”
“Oh, I see. I suppose he was fool enough to lend you the money.”
Grant smiled, but did not answer. This confirmed Rodney in his belief. He looked at Grant with envy and dislike. With the amiable desire to depress him, he said, “I predict that you’ll come back poorer than you went away.”
When he parted with Grant, Rodney went around to John Heywood’s house, with the view of ascertaining whether he had supplied Grant with the funds necessary for his journey.