dollars a week in Boston, and if I had stayed, should probably have
been raised to twelve."

"So that you were really consenting to a sacrifice in offering to
enter my employment at six dollars a week?"

"Just so!"

"Then I am all the more convinced that I have decided for the best
in retaining Herbert. I do not wish to interfere with your prospects
in the city."

"Oh, as for that," said Eben, judging that he had gone too far, "I
don't care to go back to the city just yet. I've been confined
pretty steadily, and a few weeks in the country, hunting and
fishing, will do me good."

George Melville bowed, but said nothing.

Eben felt that he had no excuse for staying longer, and reluctantly
rose.

"If you should think better of what I've proposed," he said, "you
can let me know."

"I will do so," said Melville.

"He's rather a queer young man," muttered Eben, as he descended the
stairs. "It's funny that he should prefer a country boy like Herbert
to a young man like me who's seen life, and got some city polish--at