Allan Roscoe's remonstrance with the two boys had the effect of keepingthe peace between them for the remainder of the week. Guy did not thinkit prudent to taunt Hector, unless backed up by his father, and he feltthat the change in their relative positions was satisfaction enough atpresent. Besides, his father, in a subsequent conversation, had told Guythat it was his purpose to place Hector in a boarding school, where thediscipline would be strict, and where he would be thrashed if he provedrebellious.
"I shall tell Mr. Smith," he added, "that the boy needs a strong hand,and that I am not only perfectly willing that he should be punishedwhenever occasion may call for it, but really desire it."
"Good, good!" commended Guy, gleefully. "I hope old Smith'll lay it ongood."
"I presume he will," said Allan Roscoe, smiling in sympathy with hisson's exuberance. "I am told by a man who knows him that he is a tallman, strong enough to keep order, and determined to do it."
"I should like to be there to see Hector's first flogging," remarked theamiable Guy. "I'd rather see it than go to the theater any time."
"I don't see how you can, unless you also enter the school."
"No, thank you," answered Guy. "No boarding school for me. That isn'tmy idea of enjoyment. I'd rather stay at home with you. Hector won't behere to interfere with my using his horse and buggy."
"They are his no longer. I give them to you."
"Thank you, father," said Guy, very much gratified.
"But I would rather you would not use them till after Hector is gone. Itmight disturb him."
"That's just why I want to do it."
"But it might make trouble. He might refuse to go to school."
"You'd make him go, wouldn't you, father?"
"Yes; but I wish to avoid forcible measures, if possible. Come, Guy,it's only till Monday; then Hector will be out of the way, and you cando as you please without fear of interference."
"All right, father. I'll postpone my fun till he is out of the way.You'll go with him, won't you?"
"Yes, Guy."
"Just tell old Smith how to treat him. Tell him to show him no mercy, ifhe doesn't behave himself."
"You seem to dislike Hector very much. You shouldn't feel so. It isn'tChristian."
Guy looked at his father queerly out of the corner of his eye. Heunderstood him better than Allan Roscoe supposed.
"I hope you won't insist on my loving him, father," he said. "I leavethat to you."
"I only wish you to avoid coming into collision with him. As for love,that is something not within our power."
"Will you be ready to go with me to boarding school on Monday morning,Hector?" asked Allan Roscoe, on Saturday afternoon.
"Yes, sir."
Indeed, Hector felt that it would be a relief to get away from thehouse which he had been taught to look upon as his--first by right ofinheritance, and later as actual owner. As long as he remained he wasunpleasantly reminded of the great loss he had experienced. Again,his relations with Guy were unfriendly, and he knew that if they werepermanently together it wouldn't be long before there would be anothercollision. Though in such a case he was sure to come off victorious, hedid not care to contend, especially as no advantage could come of it inthe end.
Of the boarding school kept by Mr. Socrates Smith he had never heard,but felt that he would, at any rate, prefer to find himself amid newscenes. If the school were a good one, he meant to derive benefit fromit, for he was fond of books and study, and thought school duties notask.
"I have carefully selected a school for you," continued Allan Roscoe,"because I wish to follow out my poor brother's wishes to the letter.A good education will fit you to maintain yourself, and attain acreditable station in life, which is very important, since you will haveto carve your own future."
There was no objection to make to all this. Still, it did grate uponHector's feelings, to be so often reminded of his penniless position,when till recently he had regarded himself, and had been regarded byothers, as a boy of large property.
Smithville was accessible by railroad, being on the same line as thetown of Plympton in which Roscoe Castle was situated. There was a trainstarting at seven o'clock, which reached Smithville at half-past, eight.This was felt to be the proper train to take, as it would enable Hectorto reach school before the morning session began. Allan Roscoe, who wasnot an early riser, made an effort to rise in time, and succeeded. Intruth, he was anxious to get Hector out of the house. It might bethat the boy's presence was a tacit reproach, it might be that he hadcontracted a dislike for him. At any rate, when Hector descended to thebreakfast room, he found Mr. Roscoe already there.
"You are in time, Hector," said Mr. Roscoe. "I don't know how early theywill get up at school, but I hope it won't be earlier than this."
"I have no objection to early rising," said Hector.
"I have," said Allan Roscoe, gaping.
"I am sorry to have inconvenienced you," said Hector, politely. "I couldhave gone to school alone."
"No doubt; but I wished an interview with Mr. Socrates Smith myself. Ilook upon myself in the light of your guardian, though you are not mynephew, as was originally supposed."
"I'd give a good deal to know whether this is true," thought Hector,fixing his eyes attentively upon his uncle's face.
I have written "uncle" inadvertently, that being the character in whichMr. Roscoe appeared to the world.
"By the way, Hector," said Allan Roscoe, "there is one matter which wehave not yet settled."
"What is that, sir?"
"About your name."
"My name is Hector Roscoe."
"I beg your pardon. Assuming by brother's communication to be true, andI think you will not question his word, you have no claim to the name."
"To what name have I a claim, then?" asked Hector, pointedly.
"To the name of your father--the last name, I mean. I have no objectionto your retaining the name of Hector."
"What was the name of my father?" asked the boy.
"Ahem! My brother did not mention that in his letter. Quite an omission,I must observe."
"Then it is clear that he meant to have me retain his own name," saidHector, decisively.
"That does not follow."
"As I know no other name to which I have a claim, I shall certainly keepthe name of the kindest friend I ever had, whether he was my father ornot," said Hector, firmly.
Allan Roscoe looked annoyed.
"Really," he said, "I think this ill-judged, very ill-judged. It willlead to misapprehension. It will deceive people into the belief that youare a real Roscoe."
"I don't know but I am," answered Hector, with a calm look of defiance,which aggravated Allan Roscoe.
"Have I not told you you are not?" he said, frowning.
"You have; but you have not proved it," said Hector.
"I am surprised that you should cling to a foolish delusion. You areonly preparing trouble for yourself. If my word is not sufficient--"
"You are an interested party. This story, if true, gives you myproperty."
"At any rate, you may take your father's--I mean my brother's--word forit."
"If he had told me so, I would believe it," said Hector.
"You have it in black and white, in the paper I showed you. What more doyou want?"
"I want to be sure that that document is genuine. However, I won't arguethe question now. I have only been giving you my reasons for keeping thename I have always regarded as mine."
Allan Roscoe thought it best to drop the subject; but the boy'spersistency disturbed him.
CHAPTER VI. SMITH INSTITUTE.
Hector's Inheritance, Or, the Boys of Smith Institute Page 5