CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH
BILLY’S mother was now so well that she was eager to begin work. “You have done so much for us,” she said to Mr. Ledwell, “that I cannot accept any more.”
“Have you thought of anything special to do?” asked Mr. Ledwell.
“I have thought a great deal about it,” she replied, “and I should be glad of any work that will support us. Since I have been so long idle I have realized, as I never did before, the fact that there are many children thrown upon the charity of the world as my boy was, but very few fall into such kind hands as he did. There are institutions to care for just such children, and if I could get a situation in one of them I should put my whole heart into the work, remembering the helpless position my boy was in. In caring for other forsaken children I would work off some of the deep sense of gratitude I feel.”
“It is a good scheme,” replied Mr. Ledwell, “and we will try to find a place for you. Feeling as you do, you are just the one to look after the poor little waifs. It takes time, though, to obtain such a position, and meantime I can give you employment in my business.”
So Billy’s mother began work at once, and at the end of the first week was able to hand to Mrs. Hanlon a sum for her own and Billy’s board.
Billy gained in strength and health every day, and soon was able to lay aside the blue spectacles.
“I should think you would have your hair cut just as short as it can be,” Sam one day suggested to his friend. “You see, it curls so that the fellows think it makes you look like a girl.”
So Billy gave his mother no peace until his hair was cut so short that there was no chance for it to form the curly rings to which the other boys so much objected, and Sam pronounced it a great improvement.