"Well, if you boarded at home, I think I could give you twelve dollars a month. But, Eben, are you really serious? Would your mother be willing to have you take such a place?"
"I am quite serious, Mr. Antis. I must go to work at something, you see, and it won't do to be too particular. Mother feels bad at my having to give up school, anyway, but I think after a little, she will be reconciled to it."
"Flora has got on nicely, my wife tells me," remarked Mr. Antis. "She says the girl goes to work like a woman. But I always knew there was plenty of good stuff in Flora."
"Well, and now I must go to work like a man and find out whether there is any good stuff in me," replied Eben, smiling. "I think I should like the place, Mr. Antis, but I should wish to talk with mother and Flora, if you don't mind letting me have the refusal of the situation till to-morrow."
"For a week if you like. And, Eben, if you don't mind, would you just stop at the store as you go along, and ask Mr. Hallet to send over some tea? I have had so much to think of, I forgot all about it."
"Kissy says Hallet hasn't any tea fit to drink," remarked Jeduthun. "We get all ours over at the Springs."
"I know it, and if I had anybody to send—"
"I could go if I had a horse," said Eben, modestly. "There would be plenty of time to drive over and back before dark."
"Oh, there are horses enough," replied Mr. Antis, evidently pleased. "Go up to the house and get the buggy and the old gray. Take Flora along. The ride will be good for her, and I dare say she has errands of her own to do."