I know that if my mother knows what goes on here, it would grieve her for me to take such a step." "Suppose your stepfather should consent to your leaving home ?" "Then I would do so gladly.

I am willing to work and I think I could make a living in some way." "Why not ask him ?" Frank's face brightened.
"Thank you for the hint, Herbert," he said.

"I will think of it, and I may act upon it." Frank was naturally self-reliant and energetic.

He was not disposed to shrink from the duties of life, but was ready to go forth to meet them.
The idea which Herbert had suggested commended itself to him the more he thought of it.
In spite, therefore, of the news which he had received about Ajax, he resumed his cheerfulness, considerably to the surprise of Mark, whose natural suspicion led him to conjecture that Frank had some plan in view to circumvent his father.
"If he has, he'd better give it up," reflected Mark.

"The old man's as sly as a fox.