“I expect board is higher in the city,” said Mrs. Raymond.
“Yes, I suppose it is; but next year I shall probably have my pay raised. Who knows but I may get into the firm some day,” said Harry, glowing with enthusiasm, “and make money hand over hand? Then I can take a nice house in the city, and you and Katy can come up and live with me. Won’t that be nice?”
Mrs. Raymond confessed that it would be nice. Still she did not like to let Harry go. But he gradually won her to his side, and she admitted that there was something in his arguments. So, before he went back to the store, it was virtually agreed between them that the offer was not one to be refused.
“Let me take the letter, mother,” said Harry. “I would like to show it to Mr. Gaylord and Mr. Porter.”
CHAPTER XIV.
HARRY ARRIVES IN THE CITY.
On going back to the store, Harry showed the senior salesman the letter his mother had received.
Now John Gaylord was in the main a good-natured young man, but he was not without the failings incident to humanity. It happened that he had himself been secretly desirous of going to the city, and obtaining some position which promised better than that of chief salesman in a country store. But he had no friends to help him in New York, and he was wise enough to feel that it would not be expedient to throw up a fair place in the country for the uncertain prospect of one in the city. But, for all that, he used to think oftentimes that his business abilities deserved something better than weighing out tea and sugar in small quantities for country customers. So when he learned that Harry Raymond, an inexperienced boy, had received an offer which he would gladly have accepted himself, he naturally felt a little envious, and provoked with Harry for his good fortune.
“What do you think of it, Mr. Gaylord?” asked Harry.