"Mother will be very glad to see you," added Bert, cordially.
"Thank you, my boy. Your kind welcome does me good. I hope your mother is well and happy."
"She is a widow," answered Bert soberly.
"When did your father die?"
"Two years ago."
"I hope he left your mother in comfortable circumstances."
Bert shook his head.
"He only left the small house we live in, and that is mortgaged for half its value."
"Then how do you live?"
"Mother covers base-balls for a firm in the next town, and I am working in the big shoe shop."