Part 12 (2/2)
”Go to----” responded Mike, looking back at Peter over his shoulder, as he turned to go out the door.
”Set down, boy, and be respectable,” said Peter in a mollifying tone.
”Anything new, Mike?”
”Nothing unusual, only I hear that my sister left home today for a finer home in the East End.”
”Did sh-e-e?” asked Peter, with a comical leer out of his right eye, which he turned upon Mike, as if the information was of vast importance to him.
”She did,” answered Mike.
”Good for her!” said Peter, musingly. ”When did you learn this?”
”This afternoon, when I was home for the first time since I got my new job, over three months now,” replied Mike, looking down at the floor. ”I meant to take her out of that place myself to a finer one, where life is worth while; but she eluded me--if that is the right word, eh.”
”Did you intend taking her to the place where you work?” asked Peter.
”I did.”
”I have always had such a notion of you in my head,” said Peter, squinting at Mike.
”You had? How did you know?” shouted Mike.
”Guessed as much,” said Peter, rubbing and looking Mike squarely in the face.
”You old reprobate!” exclaimed Mike, hotly.
”Be careful, boy; be careful. I am no fool,” admonished Peter, unruffled as yet, in outward signs. ”What other news?”
”I understand my sister's at Hiram Jarney's home,” said Mike.
”Yes,” responded Peter.
”A strange coincidence,” mused Mike. ”I met a young man named Winthrope this morning, who works in Jarney's office.”
”Good or bad subject?” asked Peter.
”Bad--I judge from his answers.”
”That's good,” said Peter, rubbing his hands vigorously.
”I don't understand,” said Mike.
”You don't?” quizzed Peter, drawling out the words sluringly.
”No, d---- if I do!”
”Well, then go about your miserable business and quit bothering me,”
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