"It will quite set us on our feet again, Mr. Melville," said
Herbert, earnestly. "You are very generous."

"Oh, you don't know what a hard taskmaster you may find me," said
the young man, playfully. "By the way, I consider that you have
already entered upon your duties. To-day is the first day. Now come
to the hotel with me, and see what you can get for the fish. I
happen to know that two of the guests, a lady and her daughter, are
anxious for a good fish dinner and, as there is no market here, I
think the landlord will be glad to buy from you."

Mr. Melville was right. Mr. Barton, the landlord, purchased the fish
that Herbert had to sell, for sixty cents, which he promptly paid,

"Don't that pay you for your morning's work?" asked Melville.

"I don't know but the money ought to go to you, Mr. Melville," said
Herbert, "as I am now in your employ. Besides, you caught a part of
them."

"I waive all claim to compensation," said the young man, "though it
would be a novel sensation to receive money for services rendered.
What will you say, Herbert, when I tell you that I never earned a
dollar in my life?"

Herbert looked incredulous.

"It is really true," said George Melville, "my life has been passed
at school and college, and I have never had occasion to work for
money."