Then with dexterous fingers she changed the tags on the samples back to their original places, after which she put them carefully away in a drawer of the desk, in case they should ever be wanted again, as she felt sure they would.
The following afternoon Clifford was sent to the tailor to be measured for his suit, and as he was a favorite with Mr. Black—as, indeed, he was with every one who knew him—that gentleman took great pains to have every measurement exact, and secretly resolved that the boy should have a suit of clothes that would do him credit, even among the stylish collegians at Harvard.
He was told that they would be ready for him the following Saturday evening.
Friday night ended Clifford’s four years’ servitude with Squire Talford, and, after packing his few belongings, he had an interview with the man, received the stipulated twenty-five dollars, and took a respectful leave of him.
His heart was light. He suddenly felt like a different being as he put the money away in his pocket and realized that he was—free!
The only regret he experienced was in the thought of leaving Maria, and the woman broke down and cried heartily when he stepped into the kitchen to say “good-by” to her.
“Oh, Cliff!” she sobbed, as she grasped both his hands, “you’re the only being I’ve really loved since Sam and Mrs. Talford died. I can’t bear to have you go, for your bright face and cheery ways have helped me through many a lonely day. But I’m glad for you—I’m downright glad, for I know you’re goin’ among your equals, and that you’ll get to be a man to be proud of. But I shall miss you—I’ll miss you more’n you’ll ever know,” and the tears streamed like rain over her flushed cheeks.
“Why, Maria!” exclaimed the boy, astonished and also deeply touched to see her so overcome, “I had no idea you would care so much about my going. I shall miss you, too, and your many kindnesses, to say nothing about your fine doughnuts, fluffy biscuit, glorious pies, and the ‘leftover,’” he added, with a cheery laugh. “But I’m not going to forget you by any means. I shall always come to see you when I have a vacation.”
“Will you now—sure?” the woman exclaimed eagerly and in a grateful tone.