“Is that the condition?”
“Yes.”
“Then,” said Herbert, turning away, “I am afraid I must give up the chance.”
“That's an obstinate boy,” said Banks, looking after him; “but he'll come around after a while. The squire says he'll have to, or be turned out for not paying the interest.”
CHAPTER XIV
HERBERT'S NEW UNDERTAKING
To be willing to work, and yet to be unable to find an opportunity, was certainly a hardship. Herbert was a boy of active temperament, and, even had he not needed the wages of labor, he would still have felt it necessary to his happiness to do something.
In the course of his walks about the village, he stopped at the house of a carpenter, who bore the rather peculiar name of Jeremiah Crane. Mr. Crane owned about an acre and a half of land, which might have been cultivated, but at the time Herbert called, early in April, there were no indications of this intention. The carpenter was at work in a small shop just beyond the house, and there Herbert found him.
“Well, Herbert,” said Mr. Crane, in a friendly manner, “what are you up to nowadays?”