After all, he had always shown the ability to
take care of himself, and except that he had mysteriously
disappeared there was no reason for anxiety about him.
One night his name came up at a moment when Sewell was least
prepared by interest or expectation to see him. He smiled to himself
in running downstairs, at the reflection that he never seemed quite
ready for Barker. But it was a relief to have him turn up again;
there was no question of that, and Sewell showed him a face of
welcome that dropped at sight of him. He scarcely new the gaunt,
careworn face or the shabby figure before him, in place of the
handsome, well-dressed young fellow whom he had come to greet. There
seemed a sort of reversion in Barker's whole presence to the time
when Sewell first found him in that room; and in whatever trouble he
now was, the effect was that of his original rustic constraint.
Trouble there was of some kind, Sewell could see at a glance, and
his kind heart prompted him to take Lemuel's hand between both of
his. "Why, my dear boy!" he began; but he stopped and made Lemuel
sit down, waited for him to speak, without further question or
comment.
"Mr. Sewell," the young man said abruptly, "you told me once you--
that you sometimes had money put into your hands that you could
lend."
"Yes," replied Sewell, with eager cordiality.
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