“Yes, sir,” said Tommy, quickly, “and I want to thank you, sir, for—”
“Stop!” cried Jabez, in a tremendous voice. “Not a word. Where you goin’ in them clothes?”
“To work,” faltered the boy, astonished at this unexpected outburst.
“Where?” asked Jabez, sternly.
“At the mine.”
“At the mine!” roared Jabez. “Well, I’ll be blowed! Es thet all your l’arnin’ amounts to? You go away t’ study, an’ then come hum an’ go t’ work ag’in in th’ mine!”
“We need money,” said the boy, timidly. “I can do this until I find something better.”
“Did your father an’ mother send you up here?”
Tommy colored at the tone of his voice.
“No, sir,” he answered quickly. “Father knows nothing about it. Mother tried to keep me from coming.”