"
"Good-by, Philip," said Mrs, Hoffman, offering her hand. "I hope
you will prosper."
"So do I, Phil," said Jimmy.
Phil thus took with him the farewells and good wishes of two
friends who had been drawn to him by his attractive face and good
qualities. He could not help wishing that he might stay with
them permanently, but he knew that this could not be. To remain
in the same city with the padrone was out of the question.
Meanwhile we return to the house which Phil had forsaken, and
inquire what effect was produced by his non-appearance.
It was the rule of the establishment that all the boys should be
back by midnight. Phil had generally returned an hour before
that time. When, therefore, it was near midnight, the padrone
looked uneasily at the clock.
"Have you seen Filippo?" he asked, addressing his nephew.
"No, signore," answered Pietro. "Filippo has not come in."
"Do you think he has run away?" asked the padrone, suspiciously.
"I don't know," said Pietro.
"Have you any reason to think he intended to run away?"
"No," said Pietro.
"I should not like to lose him. He brings me more money than
most of the boys."
"He may come in yet.
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