“Then I’ll come this afternoon,” said Harry promptly. “I want to go home and split up a little wood for mother, enough to last her.”
“Very well. About the pay, I will give you six dollars a week.”
Six dollars a week! This seemed to Harry a large sum. His father had only been paid two dollars per day, and therefore received but twice as much. He had hoped, to be sure, to earn more as a peddler but then his expenses would be large, and, after all he might fail, for it was but an experiment. Here there was no risk, but a certain weekly income. Besides,—and this was an important consideration,—it would enable him to continue at home, and he knew that just at this time his mother and little Katy would feel his absence more than at any other time.
Good news always quickens the step. Harry entered the house briskly, and placed the parcels he had brought from the store upon the table.
“Here are the sugar and butter, mother,” he said. “Now I’ll go out and split you some wood, for I’ve got to go to work this afternoon.”
“What kind of work?” asked Mrs. Raymond, looking up.
“Alfred Harper is sick, and so is Mr. Porter. So he has engaged me to take Alfred’s place for the present, at a salary of six dollars a week. I think that’s pretty lucky.”
“Then you won’t have to leave home,” said his mother, brightening up for the first time. “I was so afraid you would have to, and that would make it very lonely for Katy and me.”
“No, I shall be at home, only you won’t see much of me, for I’ve got to go to the store early, and I suppose I shall get home late.”