"What does mother say?" asked Bobby, his countenance growing sad.
"I do not know. We returned from Maine only yesterday; but Squire Lee will satisfy her. All that can worry her, as it has worried me, will be her fears for your safety when she hears of your escape."
"I will soon set her mind at ease upon that point. I will take the noon train home."
"A word about business before you go. I discharged Timmins about a week ago, and I have kept his place for you."
"By gracious!" exclaimed Bobby, thrown completely out of his propriety by this announcement.
"I think you will do better, in the long run, than you would to travel about the country. I was talking with Ellen about it, and she says it shall be so. Timmins's salary was five hundred dollars a year, and you shall have the same."
"Five hundred dollars a year!" ejaculated Bobby, amazed at the vastness of the sum.
"Very well for a boy of thirteen, Bobby."
"I was fourteen last Sunday, sir."
"I would not give any other boy so much; but you are worth it, and you shall have it."