A minute later and Uncle Jacob was gone. Mrs. Barton went back to covering balls and Bert to his place in the shoe shop. Their united earnings enabled them to live comfortably, and they were content, though they had nothing to spare. But trouble was close at hand, though they did not suspect it.
What that trouble was will be disclosed in the next chapter.
CHAPTER VIII.
DISCHARGED.
Three days later, while on his way to the factory, Bert overtook Luke Crandall, who was employed like himself in pegging shoes.
"Have you heard the news, Bert?" asked his friend.
"No; what is it?"
"All the peggers are to be discharged; you and I, and the two other boys."