"There is one thing certain, you can never go there with me again," said
Miss Bentley, on their way across the street.

"But Aleck said----" began the culprit.

"Never mind what he said. Aleck is a very ignorant little boy. People
don't keep gold in rooms. If they have it they put it in the bank or
send it to the mint."




CHAPTER EIGHT

_In which the Miser's past history is touched upon; which shows how
his solitude is again invaded, and how he makes a new friend._


"There isn't any mystery about _him_, so far as I know," said the
Reporter, who was seated as usual upon the carriage block. The Candy
Wagon continued to act as a magnet for him, and in season and out his
genial presence confronted the Candy Man.

If his emphasis upon the pronoun was noticed, it was ignored. The
mystery was, the Candy Man replied, how with such a face he could be a
miser.

"Oh, he's a bit nutty, of course. My grandmother says his money came to
him unexpectedly and the shock was too much for him. They say he has a
notion he is holding it in trust. He is rational enough in every other