"Just a little over thirteen."
"Does he go to school?"
"No sir. He has no clothes fit to be seen in at school."
"Bad—bad," said Mr. Prescott, "very bad. The boy might be earning two dollars a week; instead of which he is growing up in idleness, which surely leads to vice."
Gardiner looked slightly confused at this remark, and his wife, evidently, did not feel very comfortable under the steady, observant eyes that were on her.
"You seem to be in good health," said Mr. Prescott, looking at the woman.
"Yes sir, thank God! And if it wasn't for that, I don't know what we should all have done. Everything has fallen upon me since John, there, has been ailing."
Mr. Prescott glanced around the room, and then remarked, a little pleasantly:
"I don't see that you make the best use of your health and strength."
The woman understood him, for the color came instantly to her face.