"I've had a really remarkable letter from Uncle William, dear!" she said, one afternoon, when by some rare chance she was alone with her son.
"Good for you!" said Austin, absently, clicking the c**k of the g*n he was cleaning. "Give the old boy my love when you write."
"He sends you a message, dear. He wants to know—but you're not listening," Mrs. Phelps paused. Austin looked up.
"Oh, I'm listening. I hear every word."
"You seem so far from me these days, Austin," said his mother, plaintively. But—" she brightened, "I hope dear Uncle William's plan will change all that. He wants you to come home, dear. He offers you the junior partnership, Austin." She brought it out very quietly.
"Offers me the—what?"
"The junior partnership,—yes, dear. Think of it, at your age, Austin! What would y
