a week, including the post office, then I am mistaken."

"So you are--ridiculously mistaken!" said his father, sharply. "What
you presume is entirely out of the question. You forget that you
will be getting your board, and Tom Tripp only received a dollar and
a half a week without board."

"Is that all you pay to Herbert Carr?"

"I pay him a leetle more," admitted Ebenezer.

"What will you give me?"

"I'll give you your board and clothes," said Ebenezer, "and that
seems to be more than you made in Boston."

"Are you in earnest?" asked Eben, in genuine dismay.

"Certainly. It isn't a bad offer, either."

"Do you suppose a young man like me can get along without money?"

"You ought to get along without money for the next two years, after
the sums you've wasted in Boston. It will cripple me to pay your
bills," and the storekeeper groaned at the thought of the inroads
the payment would make on his bank account.

"You're poorer than I thought, if seventy-five dollars will cripple
you," said Eben, who knew his father's circumstances too well to be
moved by this representation.