Tom turned pale, for he did not feel sure how he was to make up the small pittance which he had hitherto earned by pegging.
“You discharge me, then?” he said, in a low voice.
“Yes,” answered his employer, who marked with cruel enjoyment the dismay depicted upon Tom’s face.
“Then, sir, I will bid you good-night.”
Tom turned, and with a firm step walked out of the room. But his heart was heavy within him. How should he break the tidings of this serious misfortune to his mother. How were they to live on the scanty sum which she earned by sewing and knitting.
In the midst of Tom’s despondency his heart suddenly lightened.
“I won’t despair,” he said to himself. “I will trust in the Lord. He will provide for us somehow.”
Mingled with this feeling was a firm and resolute determination.
He would make it the business of his life to ascertain how and under what circumstances his father died, and bring his murderer to justice!