Oliver brightened up. His sky seemed to be clearing.
"Perhaps you will object to the pay we give," said the superintendent.
"I don't expect much," said our hero, who thought he would accept for the present, if he were only offered six dollars.
"We will pay you two dollars a week for the first six months."
"Two dollars a week!" exclaimed Oliver in dismay.
"For the first six months. Then we will raise you to four if you do well."
"Then I can't come," said Oliver despondently. "I shall have to live on my salary, and I couldn't possibly live on two dollars a week."
"I am sorry," said the superintendent; "but as we can get plenty of boys for two dollars, we cannot break our rule."
Oliver went out, rather indignant.
"No wonder boys are tempted to steal," he thought, "when employers are so mean."