"You have argued the case fairly and won!" exclaimed her mother laughing. "I had no idea she remembered that," she added, turning to Mrs. Danforth. "It was more than three years ago. Why, she was not five years old."
The little girl remained silent and thoughtful for a few minutes, and then asked, "When I'm grown to be a woman, Harrison, if I'm poor,—I mean very, very poor,—should you be ashamed to speak to me?" She looked earnestly in his face, anxiously awaiting his reply.
"Why, Ella! you ought to know that I should like you all the same, or rather better; though I should be sorry to have you very, very poor, as you call it."
"What kind of business should you prefer?" inquired Mrs. Haven; "I suppose you have some fancy about it."
"I had rather be a merchant," responded the boy, "if I could be a good one, as your husband was."
"If he were living," exclaimed the lady, with deep feeling, "he would be able to advise you, and probably could readily procure you a place. I will do all in my power to assist you; but you know there are difficulties attending good situations. For instance, in such a house as my husband's, many a gentleman would be willing to pay a handsome sum annually for the sake of having his sons learn the business thoroughly."
"I know it!" cried Harrison. "Mr. Cowles says if Mr. Lothrop, where he has worked so long, would take Warren into his store he would be glad to have him work three years without pay. It would be the making of him."
"But you have to support your mother," suggested Mrs. Haven, playfully.
"Yes, ma'am; and for that reason I shall not apply for such a place. I shall try to get in where they will give me a regular salary from the very beginning. I am willing to work early and late; and it don't cost us much for our food, does it, mother?"
Mrs. Danforth sighed, though presently she spoke, in a cheerful tone,— "If I have my health, my son, I have no doubt we shall be very comfortable."