We continued to discuss Mr. Woodward for some time, and also the action of the Models and what I should do on their score.  My Uncle Enos was for prosecuting them, but the Widow Canby said that the future would bring its own punishment, and on this we rested.

“And now about my board,” began Uncle Enos, during a dull in the conversation.  “I must find a boarding-house for after to-night.”

“Wouldn’t you like to stay with the children?” asked Mrs. Canby.

“Yes, ma’am; indeed I would.  To tell the truth, it’s my intention sooner or later to offer them a home with me.”

“I should hate to have them leave me,” returned the widow, quickly.

“I suppose so.”

“How would you like to board with me?  As I have said, there is lots of room, and you have just eaten a sample meal.  We do not live in style—­ but—­”

“Plenty good enough style,” interrupted Captain Enos, “and better grub then we had on the Hattie Baker, I’ll be bound.  I’d like it first rate here if the terms wasn’t too high.”

“What do you think fair?”

“I’m sure I don’t know, ma’am.  I haven’t paid a week’s board in three years.”

“Would five dollars a week be too much?”

“No, ma’am.  Are you sure it’s enough?  I don’t want to crowd your hospitality.”

“I’d be satisfied with five dollars.  Of course boarders are out of my line, but there are exceptions to all cases.  Besides, I’ll feel safer with another man about the house.  No reflection on you, Roger, but you won’t always be here together.”

“No, ma’am,” replied my uncle.  “I must visit my brother-in-law at the prison—­ that will take several days.”

“Will you take me with you?” asked Kate, eagerly.

“Certainly, and you, too, Roger, if you want to go.”

“I would like to very much,” was my reply.  “But I want to ask even a bigger favor than that, Uncle Enos.”

“Yes?”

“Yes, sir.  You may think it a good deal, but you’ve been so kind, and I haven’t any one else to go to.”

“Well, what is it, my boy?  I’ll do it if I can.”

“Lend me about fifty dollars.”

My Uncle Enos raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“Fifty dollars?” he repeated.

“Yes, sir.  That is, if you can spare it.  I’ll promise to pay it back some day.”

“And what do you intend to do with it?”

“I want to go to Chicago, sir.”

“To Chicago?”

All three of my listeners repeated the words in chorus; then Captain Enos continued:—­

“And what are you going to do there?”

“I want to hunt up this Holtzmann, and find out what he knows about my father’s affairs.  I’m satisfied that he is as deep in it as Mr. Woodward or John Stumpy, and if I can only by some means get him to tell what he knows, I may accomplish a good deal.”

My Uncle Enos put his hand upon my shoulder; “Well, Roger, you’re a brave boy, and I’ll trust you.  You shall have fifty dollars, and a hundred, if you want it, to do as you think best.  Only don’t get into trouble.”