"She's a very sensible woman. I agreed with her to keep you. There are some that wouldn't after what happened this week; but I don't want to be too hard upon you, considerin' you are so young, and I said I would keep you, trustin' that all will be satisfactory here after." "Mr. Tubbs, I have something to say to that. I shall leave you to-night." "But your mother won't allow it. You are only a boy, and——" "I am going to work for Mr. Nugent on Monday, Mr. Tubbs." "What can he have for you to do?" asked the grocer in surprise. "I am to go on a journey for him, and attend to some business." "That's cu'rus. What can a boy like you do?" "You must ask him." "Can't you put him off for a week? I haven't got nobody to fill your place." "You might get Richard Childs, but you would have to pay him more. He is a good, strong boy." "Yes, he might do; but I should like to keep you a week longer." "It will be impossible, Mr. Tubbs." When Gerald left the grocery in the evening with three dollars in his pocket, he felt glad to bid farewell to a place that he had found so disagreeable. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XVII GERALD LEAVES PORTVILLE ON his way to church the next day Gerald fell in with Richard Childs, a stout, manly boy of sixteen. "I want to speak to you, Gerald," said Richard. "Mr. Tubbs has offered me a place in his store. I don't want to accept it till I learn whether I am depriving you of employment." "No, Dick. I have given Mr. Tubbs notice that I must leave him." "Are you going back to school?" "No; I am offered employment by Mr. Nugent." Richard looked puzzled. "What does he want with a boy?" "I am going to travel for him on business. You mustn't ask particulars, for the business is private." "All right. Then I will accept; but I have told Mr. Tubbs he must pay me four dollars." "What did he say?" "He talked for an hour, but my father backed me up, and he will have to pay it." Mrs. Lane and Abel made various attempts to draw from Gerald the name of the place to which he was going, but he steadfastly refused to tell. "I don't know but I shall refuse my consent to your going," said his stepmother. "In that case you will have me at home doing nothing." "I might send you back to Mr. Tubbs." "He has already engaged Richard Childs in my place." "I wish I were going with you," said Abel. "It is awfully stupid in Portville." "I will bring you home a present, Abel," said Gerald. Abel brightened up. He was naturally an avaricious boy, and was ready to accept whatever came his way. "Then I hope you'll come back soon," he said. "Thank you!" The train on which Gerald was to be a passenger was to leave Portville at ten o'clock. Gerald had an invitation to breakfast at Mr. Nugent's in order to receive final instructions and to be provided with money.