When I did happen to write
(which wasn't often) I've always spoken of you as _Bob_. So
when I got to Allenville I dropped a line to Father to say I'd
arrived safely and in the note I put something about Mr. Carlton.
Father lit on it right away; he wished to know who these Carltons
were. I replied they were Mr. and Mrs. Carlton, of course--the
parents of my roommate. Upon that I got another letter from home in
which Father inquired if your father was in the sugar business, and
said that years ago he used to have a partner named James Carlton,
who started in the sugar trade with him and with whom he later
quarreled. He supposed this could not be the same person, but he
just wondered if by any chance it was."
Van stopped.
"Was that all he said?"
"No, but I don't like to tell you the rest, Bobbie."
"Fire away--unless it is something about Dad," Bob replied. "If it
is I shan't listen, or at least I shan't believe it."
"It isn't exactly against your father. I do not understand it very
well myself. My father just said that if your father was Mr. James
Carlton and he was in the sugar business he felt that because of
family misunderstandings it would be better if I did not visit here
again. He was very sorry I had done it this time, but of course that
could not be helped now."
"You don't mean to say he wants you to break off your friendship
with me?" Bob gasped tremulously.
"No, he didn't seem to be opposed to you; he just was hot at your
dad.
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