"Now, then! In a day or two we will be home, Sandford. Home in Bretherton, Mass. We can't offer you mountains there, but it is a good rolling country and it's--quiet! I'm going to choose a school for you as soon as I can, a country school where you can catch up without having the life nagged out of you." "And--and where am I to work and--live, sir?" "You'll find work enough at the school for the regular terms--summers you are going to stop with Miss Markham and me and I'll set you to work in my mills. I always set every one I take an interest in, to work in my mills." "Yes, sir." Sandy's eyes were growing "strange" again. Markham was learning to watch for that look. "What's the matter?" he asked on the defensive; "what you thinking about?" "Only Smith Crothers' factory, sir, and--and the children." "See here, Sandford; don't you get me mixed with that----" he stopped short. At times his ability to converse with Sandy struck even him with wonder. It was when he forgot the poor figure before him, and was held by the expression in the thin face, that he let himself go. "My mills," he continued more calmly, "are places of preparation; not--death traps." "Yes, sir." "It all depends on you, Sandford. I made my way up from as poor a chap as you are. I've given a lift to a good many other boys because of the boy I once was, but I never take any nonsense. I'm going to be fair with you and I expect you to be fair with me. Take things or leave them--only speak out what's in your mind and act clean. What I do for you isn't done for fun: I expect a return for everything I advance, and I take my own way to get it. While you are at school--it's school returns I want. When you go into the mills--I'll look for returns of a different kind. I'm going to give you an allowance, and it's got to do." "Sir?" "Oh!--I mean I'm going, after I get you on your feet, to put up a certain sum of money for you to live on; buy your clothes and get what amusement you can--along your own lines. I'm not going to pry or question you. You've got to feel your way along--it's always my method. They who stumble or run astray must learn their own lesson--not mine! I'll steady you at the start; after that you've got to learn to walk alone or go to----" "Yes, sir!" The awful weight of responsibility was crushing Sandy as the city did--but he kept clear eyes on Markham. "The only fun I have in life," Levi said, "is watching the outcome of my investments. You are an investment, Sandford, a flier--I call you! You're a risk and a pick-up, but some of my biggest hauls came from fishing where others scorned to take a chance. "Yes, sir." "You are willing to--agree?" "Oh! yes, sir." "Sounds like a big chance?" "I reckon it does, sir, but it's what I saved money for ever since I was seven. The _chance_, I mean, sir." "Sandford, when you feel that you can--not now, but some day--I want you to tell me all about yourself."