"I have no objections. You can take it up to your room when you please." The portrait was taken down, and Robert received it. He at once carried it upstairs. His heart swelled within him, and a look of bitterness came over his young face. "I can't stand it long," he said to himself. "The sight of that man fills me with indignation and disgust. I would as soon see a serpent." As yet, however, there had been no open outbreak, but it was to come very soon. "May I ask a favor of you, James?" said his wife at the breakfast table. "What is it, my dear?" "I find that our woodpile needs replenishing. Will you stop at Mr. Webber's on your way to the post-office and ask him to call? I want to speak to him about sawing and splitting a new supply." "My dear," said her husband, "let me make a suggestion. Why employ Mr. Webber when you have a strong, able-bodied boy in the house?" "Do you mean Robert?" "There is no other boy in the house, I take it." "But," expostulated Mrs. Talbot, "there is no occasion to put Robert at such work. I am quite able to employ and pay Mr. Webber." "And bring up the boy in idleness. That's a very bad plan. He will be getting lazy." "He has his studies to attend to." "He needs physical exercise." "He plays ball and foot-ball." "His time is thrown away. He could get quite as healthful exercise in sawing and splitting wood, and it would save money." Mrs. Talbot was of a gentle, yielding temper, but she was not disposed to adopt her husband's views. She still ventured to expostulate. "Robert is not lazy, James," she said. "If I were poor and there were any need of it, he would willingly saw and split the wood." "Perhaps he would and perhaps he wouldn't. From what I have seen of him, I am decidedly of the opinion that he has been pampered and spoiled. He has a very bad temper----" "Oh, James!" "It is true, but it is partly because of his bringing-up. He needs to have his will broken. He has always had his own way, and it is quite time that he learned who is master here." "You are very hard and cruel, James," said his wife, the tears filling her eyes. "You think so, but I am only seeking the boy's good. I am quite decided on this point. We will drop the discussion." "Oh, what will happen?" thought the poor mother. "Robert will never submit, and there will be serious trouble." The next morning was Saturday, and Robert had a holiday from school. He was out in the yard, after breakfast, and was about to leave the premises, when his step-father appeared in the doorway. "Stop a minute," he called out in a tone of command. Robert looked back in surprise. "What is wanted?" he asked. "Where are you going?" "Out fishing with Harry Baker." "I think you had better postpone it." "Why?" demanded Robert in surprise. "Come out in the back-yard and I will tell you." Very much surprised, Robert followed his step-father out into the back-yard. "What does all this mean?" he thought.