“I'll tell you, pretty soon, mother. Here's the shirt that is to serve as a pattern. Can you cut out the new shirts by it?”
Mrs. Hoffman examined it attentively.
“Yes,” she said; “there will be no difficulty about that. Mr. Preston must be a pretty large man.”
“Yes, he is big enough for an alderman; but he is very kind and considerate, and I like him. You shall judge for yourself when I tell you what happened this evening.”
It will not be necessary to tell Paul's adventure over again. His mother listened with pardonable indignation against Mike Donovan and his companion.
“I hope you won't have anything to do with that bad boy, Paul,” she said.
“I shan't, if I can help it,” said Paul. “I didn't want to speak to him to-night, but I couldn't help myself. Oh, I forgot to say, when half the shirts are ready, I am to take them to Mr. Preston.”
“I think I can make one a day.”
“There is no need of working so steadily, mother. You will be well paid, you know.”
“That is true; and for that reason I shall work more cheerfully. I wish I could get paid as well for all my work.”