”I’m sure I’m obliged to you, ma’am,“ said Aggie demurely.
When she was out of the room she nodded to herself triumphantly.
”Sure, I’ve got the old lady under me thumb, but divil a bit I know how. It’s all in the word Jonas. When I want a favor, all I’ve got to do is to say that word. I wonder what it manes now, anyhow.“
However, Aggie communicated to Dan the welcome intelligence that he would have no trouble with Mrs. Brent or Philip, but as to the way in which she had managed she kept that to herself.
”I want to think it over,“ she said. ”There’s a secret, and it’s about Jonas. I’ll wait patiently, and maybe I’ll hear some more about it.“
As for Mrs. Brent, she was panic-stricken. Uncertain how much Aggie knew, she feared that she knew all. But how could she have discovered it? And was it come to this that she and Jonas were in the power of an Irish chambermaid? It was galling to her pride.
She turned to her son when they were left alone.
”How could she have found out?“ she asked.
”Found out what, mother?“
”That your name is Jonas. She evidently knows it. I could see that in her eyes.“
”She must have heard you calling me so. I’ve told you more than once, ma, that you must never call me anything but Philip.“
”It is hard to have to keep silent always, never to speak to you as my own boy. I begin to think it is a dear price to pay, Jonas.“
”There you go again, mother!“ said Jonas, peevishly.
His mother had seated herself and spoke despondently.
”I am afraid it will all come out some day,“ she said.
”It will if you don’t take better care, ma. I tell you, it would be the best thing for you to go away. Mr. Granville will give you a good income. If I was left alone, there’d be no fear of its leaking out.“
”Oh, Jonas! would you really have me leave you? Would you really have me live by myself, separated from my only child?“
Cold as she was, her heart was keenly wounded, for, looking at the boy, she saw that he was in earnest, and that he would prefer to have her go, since thereby he would be safer in the position he had usurped.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.
MR. CARTER, can you spare me a couple of days?“ asked Philip.
”Certainly, Phil,“ answered the old gentleman.
”May I ask how you wish to dispose of the time?“
”I would like to go to Planktown to see my friends there. It is now some months since I left the village, and I would like to see my old friends.“
”The desire is a natural one. Your home is broken up, is it not?“
”Yes, but I can stay at the house of Tommy Kavanagh. I know he will be glad to have me.“
”It is strange that your step-mother and her son have left no trace behind them,“ said Mr. Carter thoughtfully. ”It looks suspicious, as if they had some good reason for their disappearance.“
”I can’t understand why they should have left Planktown,“ said Philip, appearing puzzled.
”Is the house occupied?“
”Yes. I hear that a cousin of Mrs. Brent occupies it. I shall call and inquire after her.“
”Very well, Philip. Go when you please. You may be sure of a welcome when you return.“
”In Planktown, though his home relations latterly had not been pleasant, Philip had many friends, and when he appeared on the street, he met everywhere glances of friendly welcome. One of the first to meet him was Tommy Kavanagh.
”Where did you come from, Phil?“ he asked.
”I am glad enough to see you. Where are you staying?“
”Nowhere, Tommy, at present. If your mother can take me in, I will stay at your house.“
”Take you? Yes, and will be glad enough to have you stay with us. You know we live in a small house, but if you don’t mind—-“
”What do you take me for, Tommy?“ Whatever is good enough for you and your mother will be good enough for me.“