Part 14 (1/2)
He sat down again, fixed his glasses on the bridge of his nose and again ran over the contents of the letter
”For goodness' sake, Aaron, don't keep er able to restrain her curiosity ”What can Teddy have to say thatthe letter into her hand, ”read it for yourself”
She took it, while he resu, and for the first tiold!” he muttered to himself ”Twelve thousand dollars!”
Mrs Rushton hurriedly ran over the first few lines of the letter Then she uttered a frightened exclarew pale She had reached the part where Teddy told of Fred's daring exploit in diving overboard to rescue Ross
”A shark!” she exclaimed ”And my Fred in the water!”
”Bother the shark,” cried Aaron impatiently ”It didn't bite hiht have,” returned Fred'sof pride and terror ”My brave, rash boy!”
”Your 'brave, rash boy' is all right,” retorted Aaron ”Get on to the really important part of the letter”
Mrs Rushton darted an indignant glance at her brother-in-law, but went on, her eyes shi+ning and her breath co fast When she had finished she was almost as excited as Aaron Rushton hiratulation, he rejoicing in the unexpected windfall, she exulting in the part her boys had played in the affair
At thatfrom business, strode into the rooreeted his wife affectionately
”You see froaily
He see a flood of sunshi+ne with hih spirits and joyous outlook on life
”You'd never guess what's happened, Mansfield!” cried his wife ”We've just got letters froreatest news,” she added proudly
”Let's see them,” he said with quick interest
”Read this one first,” she said, thrusting Teddy's letter into his hand
”Why!” he said in surprise, as he glanced at the address, ”this is directed to Aaron”
”Yes,” Mrs Rushton replied She could not forbear the thrust and added: ”Aaron thought it was an apology”
Aaron Rushton squirmed in his chair a little uncorowled ”Go ahead, Mansfield, and then we'll talk the matter over”
Mansfield Rushton's quick eye ran rapidly over the lines while the others watched him
”Hurrah for Fred and Teddy!” he cried at the end ”They're boys worth having, eh, Agnes? What's your opinion, Aaron?” he added slyly