"Never mind that. I have perfect confidence in you." "Very well, since you have confidence in me, I will put it in my tin box at home, and if anything should happen to me it will secure you." "Well, I am glad that is off my mind," said Gerald; "I think I have checkmated Mrs. Lane." "It must be disagreeable to find it necessary to take such extreme precautions." "It is, but I must submit to it." "You told me you were going to work, Gerald," said John, suddenly. "Have you engaged any place?" "No, but Mrs. Lane has made an arrangement for me with Mr. Tubbs, the grocer." "You don't mean it? You work in a grocery!" "It is respectable, and I am not afraid of work, but it will be very disagreeable." "I can tell you it will be. I once worked for old Tubbs myself." "How did you like it?" "Not at all. I had to work twelve hours a day, and received but two dollars and a half a week." "I am to have the munificent sum of three dollars. Evidently Mr. Tubbs thinks that very liberal. He tells me that by the time I am twenty-one I may be getting ten dollars a week, and if my stepmother will advance a thousand dollars he may sell me an interest in the business." "What a shame!" "That I should have an interest in the business?" asked Gerald, with a smile. "No, but that a boy of your scholarship should tend in a grocery, and for such a sum. Why, I earn six dollars a week as a pegger." "I should rather work in your shop than in the grocery." "But there is no vacancy. That, too, would be unfit for you. Why, you know Latin and French, don't you?" "I have studied them. If Mr. Tubbs has any Latin or French customers I may be able to wait on them." "I am glad you can joke about it, Gerald." "I don't feel much like joking, I assure you." About twelve o'clock Gerald turned his steps in the direction of home, though, since his father's death, it no longer seemed to him like home. Dinner would be on the table at half-past twelve, and he always aimed to be punctual. Mrs. Lane took her place at the table, stiff and rigid as usual. She had not forgotten the savings bank deposit of Gerald, and had made up her mind to get it under her control. Mrs. Lane did not immediately introduce the subject, but when the dessert came on she said: "I saw you coming out of the savings bank this morning." "Now for it!" thought Gerald. "Yes," he said, in brief assent. "How long have you had an account there?" "About two years." "Did you withdraw any money this morning?" "Yes." "How much?" "You must excuse me, Mrs. Lane, but that is my own private business." "You are quite mistaken. You are my stepson, and you are under my guardianship." "I suppose, then, you have charge of my property. Let me know how much it is." Mrs. Lane winced. "You have no property," she said, coldly, "except what money you may have in the savings bank." "Then I am to understand that none of the property belonging to my father comes to me."