"Good-morning, sir," said Harry, composedly.

"What I want to know is, have you made up your mind to do as I told
you last night?"

"I prefer to keep it in my possession."

"I guess I'll have to keep you here a little longer."

"Then be kind enough to send me up some breakfast. I am paying my
board. I shall object to paying unless I get my meals regularly."

This consideration weighed with John Fox, and he sent Joel up with a
cup of coffee and some dry bread, five minutes later.

"By the way, Joel, come up here about the middle of the forenoon; I
want to say a few words to you in private."

"All right, I'll come. I must go downstairs now."

"I wonder what he wants to see me about?" said Joel, to himself.

Joel made a pretty shrewd guess, and resolved, by all means, to keep
the appointment.

He was anxious to get his father out of the way, but John Fox was
unusually deliberate in his motions. Finally, about half-past nine, he
left the house for the village.