"
"I don't detect the absence of either," said Maud, quietly.
"Do you believe in throwing down all social distinctions, and meeting
the sons of laborers on equal terms?"
"As to that," said Maud, meeting her partner's glance, "I am rather
democratic. I could even meet the son of a tin-pedler on equal
terms, provided he were a gentleman."
The blood rushed to Fletcher's cheeks.
"A tin-pedler!" he ejaculated.
"Yes! Suppose you were the son, or relation, of a tin-pedler, why
should I consider that? It would make you neither better nor worse."
"I have no connection with tin-pedlers," said Fletcher, hastily.
"Who told you I had?"
"I only made a supposition, Mr. Fletcher."
But Fletcher thought otherwise. He was sure that Maud had heard of
his mortification at school, and it disturbed him not a little, for,
in spite of her assurance, he felt that she believed the story, and
it annoyed him so much that he did not venture to make any other
reference to Harry.
"Poor Fitz!" said Oscar, when on their way home Maud gave an account
of their conversation, "I am afraid he will murder the tin-pedler
some time, to get rid of such an odious relationship."
CHAPTER XXX.
TWO LETTERS FROM THE WEST.
The vacation was over all too soon, yet, brief as it was, Harry
looked back upon it with great satisfaction. He had been kindly
received in the family of a man who stood high in the profession
which he was ambitious to enter; he had gratified his curiosity to
see the chief city of New England; and, by no means least, he had
secured a position as paid contributor for the "Standard.
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