"Do so, and I will see you paid, if necessary, out of my own pocket."
CHAPTER XXXIV. GRIT REACHES BOSTON.
Full of hope and joyful anticipation, Grit left home and pursued his journey to Boston. He had occasion to stop a couple of hours at Portland, and improved it by strolling down to the pier of the little steamers that make periodical trips to the islands in the harbor. Just outside a low saloon he unexpectedly ran across his stepfather.
"How are you, Grit?" said Brandon affably.
There was a flush on Brandon's face, and an unsteadiness of gait which indicated that he had succeeded in evading what is known as the Maine law. To Grit it was not a welcome apparition. Still, he felt it due to himself to be ordinarily polite.
"I am well," he answered briefly.
"And how's your mother?" asked Brandon.
"Quite well, thank you," Grit answered, as formally as if the question had been asked by a stranger.
"Does she miss me much?" asked his stepfather, with a smile.