Mr. Ford
bought them for me in Chicago."
"He must like you, to buy you new clothes."
"No, he doesn't. My own clothes were much nicer. He sold them. He
was afraid some one would know me in the others."
"I wonder what he and marm are talking about so long?"
This question Herbert was unable to answer. He did not guess how
nearly this conversation affected him.
No sooner had the two entered the house than Willis Ford began.
"Mrs. Barton," he said, "I'll tell you now what brought me here."
"Go ahead," said the lady, encouragingly.
"I want you to take the boy I have brought with me to board."
"Land sakes! I don't keep a boardin' house!"
"No; but if I will make it worth your while you will take him, won't
you?"
"How much will you give?" asked Mrs. Barton, shrewdly.
"Four dollars a week."
"He'll be a sight of trouble," said the lady; but there was
something in her tone that satisfied Ford that she was favorably
inclined to the proposal.
"Oh, no, he won't. He's so small that you can twist him round your
finger. Besides, Abner will be company for him. He will be with him
most of the time."
"Say five dollars and it's a bargain," said Mrs.
Pages:
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173