"There isn't much to do in Wayneboro."

"That isn't my lookout. She can take in sewing, or washing,"
suggested Ebenezer, who did not trouble himself much about the care
of his neighbors. "Besides there's Herbert--he can earn something."

"But I'm to take his place."

"Oh well, I ain't under any obligations to provide them a livin'.
I've got enough to take care of myself and my family."

"You'd better have let her keep the post office," said Eben. He was
not less selfish than his father, but then his own interests were
not concerned. He would not have scrupled, in his father's case, to
do precisely the same.

"It's lucky I've got a little extra income," said Ebenezer,
bitterly; "now I've got your bills to pay."

"I suppose I shall have to accept your offer, father," said Eben,
"for the present; but I hope you'll think better of my California
plan after a while. Why, there's a fellow I know went out there last
year, went up to the mines, and now he's worth five thousand
dollars!"

"Then he must be a very different sort of a person from you,"
retorted his father, sagaciously. "You would never succeed there, if
you can't in Boston."

"I've never had a chance to try," grumbled Eben.