Much as he
was disposed to look down upon Luke, he was aware that Luke's watch
was better than his, and, though he had importuned his father more
than once to buy him a gold watch, he saw no immediate prospect of
his wish being granted.
"Oh, well, I've talked enough of Luke Larkin," he said, snappishly.
"He isn't worth so many words. I am very much surprised that a
gentleman's son like you, Linton, should demean himself by keeping
company with such a boy."
"There is no boy in the village whom I would rather associate with,"
said Linton, with sturdy friendship.
"I don't admire your taste, then," said Randolph. "I don't
believe your father and mother like you to keep such company."
"There you are mistaken," said Linton, with spirit. "They have an
excellent opinion of Luke, and if he should ever need a friend, I
am sure my father would be willing to help him."
"Well, I must be going," said Randolph, by no means pleased with
this advocacy of Luke. "Come round and see me soon. You never come
to our house."
Linton answered politely, but did not mean to become intimate with
Randolph, who was by no means to his taste. He knew that it was only
his social position that won him the invitation, and that if his
father should suddenly lose his property, Randolph's cordiality
would be sensibly diminished. Such friendship, he felt, was not to
be valued.
"What are you thinking about? You seem in a brown study," said a
pleasant voice.
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