the same price, too! He don't seem to see his own interest. I'm
sorry, for it would have been a good deal more interesting to me,
going round with him a few hours a day, than tending store for
father. There's one thing sure, I won't do it long. I'm fitted for a
higher position than that, I hope."

"For downright impudence and cool assurance, I think that young man
will bear off the palm," thought George Melville, as his unwelcome
visitor left the room. "Herbert is in no danger from him. It would
probably surprise him if he knew that I should consider his company
as an intolerable bore. I will tell Herbert to-morrow the good turn
his friend has tried to do him."






CHAPTER IX

THE SOLITARY FARMHOUSE.





If Eben had been sensitive, the cool reception which he met with at
the hands of Mr. Melville would have disturbed him. As it was, he
felt angry and disappointed, and desirous of "coming up with"
Herbert, as he expressed it, though it was hard to see in what way