“You are a brave boy, and a good boy, and you deserve success.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“But I am bound to say that you have a hard task before you.”
“I know it, sir.”
“Why not let your sister go to the poorhouse for a few years, till you are older, and better able to provide for her?”
“I should be ashamed to do it, sir,” he said. “I promised my mother to take care of Grace, and I will.”
“How much do you earn as a cash-boy?”
“Three dollars a week.”
“Only three dollars a week! Why, that won’t pay your own expenses!” said the old gentleman in surprise.
“Yes, sir, it does. I pay fifty cents a week for my room, and my meals don’t cost me much.”