CHAPTER IV.

PREPARING FOR THE PICNIC.


The change in his father's circumstances had come so suddenly that Andy
could not immediately decide upon a plan of securing employment.

He was not idle, however. There was work to do on the farm, and he took
off his uniform, for Penhurst Academy was a military school, and donned,
instead, a rough farm suit, in which he assisted his father.

If he felt a pang of regret he did not show it, for he did not wish to
add to his father's grief over his imprudent act of friendship.

It was while he was at work hoeing corn that Conrad Carter came up one
day, and leaning against the fence, looked at Andy with an amused
expression.

"Oho, you've turned farmer in earnest!" he said.

"Yes, for the time being," answered Andy, composedly.

"You look fine in your overalls."

"Do you think so? Thank you for the compliment."

"You might as well keep on. You will probably succeed better as a farmer