“I should never think of asking so much,” said Mrs. Gilbert, amazed. “Are you sure——”
“That I can afford to pay so much?” asked Uncle Obed, who understood her thought. “Yes; I have a little something, though you might not think it from my clothes. When my trunk comes—I left it at a hotel in New York—I will dress a little better; but I wanted to try an experiment with my niece, Mrs. Ross. Here’s the money for the first week.”
And, drawing out a large wallet, he took therefrom two bills—a five and a one.
“It will make me feel very easy,” said Mrs. Gilbert, gratefully, “even if Harry doesn’t get any regular work, though I hope he will.”
“I should like to warn you of one thing,” said Uncle Obed. “Don’t let people know how much board I pay. If Mrs. Ross chooses to think I am very poor, let her. She won’t pester me with hypocritical attentions, which I shouldn’t value.”
Harry was delighted at his mother’s good fortune in obtaining so valuable a boarder. Six dollars a week would go a long way in their little household.
It gave him fresh courage in his efforts to obtain a place, for he knew that, even if it was deferred, his mother would not suffer from the delay.
CHAPTER X — PHILIP MEETS HIS MATCH
Though it would have been possible for the Gilberts to get along now without help from Harry’s earnings, his desire to obtain employment was quite as great as before.