"I am not altogether surprised," said Mr. Hazeltine, coming in. "He
was known as one of the most reckless speculators in the country. His
wealth was gained in that way, and now it has gone as it came."
"Think of poor Jim," said Carl.
"Poor boy! And yet it may not be the worst thing for him," added Mrs.
Howard.
"What shall I do?" asked Carl. "I am awfully sorry for him, but I am
afraid he won't want to see me, and I shouldn't know what to say,
anyway. I wonder if he will have to give up college and everything.
Poor Jim!"
Poor Jim, indeed! There could not have been found a more wretchedly
miserable boy than he. The loss of their money he hardly thought
of,--did not realize,--but the horrid notoriety of it all made him
sick.
With burning face he read the sensational newspaper reports, and
thought how the boys at school were talking about him--perhaps pitying
him. He did not want their pity; he would rather have them
indifferent. He wished he might never see any of them again.
Toward his father he felt a certain resentment. It was not true that
Mr. Carter had tried to kill himself, but mind and body had given way
under the long strain, and he was ill with brain fever.
Mrs. Carter was altogether unnerved by the suddenness of the calamity,
so that she was not allowed in her husband's room.
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