He decided to tell no one of his good luck but his mother and the minister. If he were fortunate enough to earn more, the neighbors might wonder as they pleased about the source of his supplies. The money came at the right time, for his mother needed some articles at the store. He concluded to get them on the way home.
Silas Tripp was weighing out some sugar for a customer when Chester entered. Silas eyed him sharply, and was rather surprised to find him cheerful and in good spirits.
“How’s your mother this mornin’, Chester?” asked the grocer.
“Pretty well, thank you, Mr. Tripp.”
“Are you doin’ anything yet?”
“There doesn’t seem to be much work to do in Wyncombe,” answered Chester, noncommittally.
“You was foolish to leave a stiddy job at the store.”
“I couldn’t afford to work for the money you offered me.”
“Two dollars and a quarter is better than nothin’. I would have paid you two and a half. I like you better than that Wood boy. Is your mother workin’?”
“She is doing a little sewing, but she had no time for that with a sick man in the house.”