“I can’t say anything; it wouldn’t do any good,” said Mrs. Mercer, sullenly. “You’re so infatuated with that boy that you won’t do me justice.” “Let me remind you,” said the old lady with dignity, “that Paul has nothing whatever to do with the matter. I think well of him, it is true, and am even attached to him, but your wrong doing commenced before he came, and your senseless jealousy has betrayed you into a disgraceful plot against him. Of course you and your son cannot remain in my employment.” The housekeeper had not anticipated this. It was a terrible thought that she and Frost must go forth from the home that had known them so long. “Forgive me, Mrs. Granville,” she pleaded in great agitation. “I will give up all the money I have made out of my purchases on your account--I will, indeed--and more, too, if you insist upon it. Only let me stay! Think of the years I have been in your service!” “You should have thought of that, Mrs. Mercer. You should have thought of my kindness to you and your son, and rejected the temptation to rob me as you have done.” “I will give it all back--I told you I would,” said the housekeeper, with feverish lips. “It’s too late! I have lost confidence in you. You are not the woman I supposed; for a small gain you have thrown away a great prospect. You and your son were down in my will for a handsome sum. This day I have made a new will.” “And given your property to that boy, I suppose?” said the housekeeper in passionate anger. “I decline to tell you in what way I have disposed of my money!” returned the old lady with dignity. “And now for the future. You and your son will leave me at the end of this week.” “I will leave this very day!” exclaimed Mrs. Mercer, angrily. “You can do as you please, but I should not advise you to do so. You did not wait for my conclusion. You will leave at the end of the week, but if you remain till then, you will not go empty handed. I will not only let you keep what you have wrongfully taken, but in acknowledgment of past services, I will pay you and Frost three months’ wages in advance to keep you until you find new employment.” “I will stay,” said the housekeeper, sullenly. “It will be best.” “Shall you keep this boy with you?” she could not help asking, jealously. “Probably not long. He will wish to go back to the city.” This assurance relieved Mrs. Mercer, and almost reconciled her to her own departure. At the end of the week, however, Mrs. Granville closed her house for a time, employing a neighboring farmer to take care of the land, and went to New York, under Paul’s escort, to make her niece a visit. When she parted with Paul, she placed in his hands a check for one hundred dollars. “That is for yourself,” she said. “Come and see me every week. You will not lose your time.”