He declared, by all that was good and great, Bobby should never have reason to be ashamed of him.
Our little merchant was troubled.

He could not now get rid of Tom without actually quarrelling with him, or running away from him.

He did not wish to do the former, and it was not an easy matter to do the latter.

Besides, there was hope that the runaway would do well; and if he did, when he carried the profits of his trade home, his father would forgive him.

One thing was certain; if he returned to Riverdale he would be what he had been before.
For these reasons Bobby finally, but very reluctantly, consented that Tom should remain with him, resolving, however, that, if he did not behave himself, he would leave him at once.
Before morning he had another reason.