The grocer was a short, stout man, not over five feet four inches in height and weighing well on to two hundred pounds. His features relaxed into a smile as he recognized Gerald.
"Come here, Gerald," he said.
Gerald paused, and as he looked into the grocery store with its sanded floor, barrels of flour, and boxes of potatoes, with the dried codfish hanging against the wall, his heart sank within him. He was not afraid of work, but to work in such a place and with such surroundings seemed to him dismal indeed.
"Then you are coming to work for me?" said Mr. Tubbs smiling broadly. "Hasn't your mother told you?"
"My stepmother mentioned it this morning," said Gerald, gravely.
"We made the bargain last week. You'll get good pay, too. Three dollars a week. I never paid so much before, but I expect you will earn it. You look like a good, strong boy."
"Yes, I am strong," said Gerald, briefly.
"And you are willing to work, I suppose?"
"I don't know, Mr. Tubbs. Mrs. Lane had no right to make a bargain for me. My father always intended that I should go to college."
"That would cost a sight of money, Gerald. Here you would learn business. In a few years you may be earning ten dollars a week."