"Will ten dollars a week be adequate?"
"I can't earn as much money as that," said Ben, in surprise.
"Perhaps not, and yet I am not sure. If you suit me, it will be worth my while to pay you as much."
"But Conrad will only receive four dollars a week. Won't he be angry?"
"Conrad is not called upon to support his mother, as I understand you are."
"You are very kind to think of that, Mrs. Hamilton."
"I want to be kind to you, Ben," said his patroness with a pleasant smile.
"When shall I commence my duties?"
"Now. You will copy this statement into the ledger you see here. Before doing so, will you look over and verify the figures?"
Ben was soon hard at work. He was interested in his work, and the time slipped fast. After an hour and a half had passed, Mrs. Hamilton said: