“In my own counting-room,” said Mr. Danforth, smiling. “I am very much obliged to you,” said Paul, hardly believing his ears. “I was prepared to give it to you when you came in, in case I found you qualified. The superiority of your handwriting decides me. When can you come?” “To-morrow, if you like, sir.” “I like your promptness. As it is the middle of the week, however, you may take a vacation till Monday. Your salary will begin to-morrow.” “Thank you, sir.” “I will give you five dollars per week at first, and more as your services become more valuable. Will that be satisfactory?” “I shall feel rich, sir. Mr. Smith only gave me a dollar and a quarter.” “I hope you will find other differences between me and Mr. Smith,” said the merchant, smiling. These preliminaries over, Mr. Danforth opened the door, and glancing at Dawkins, said, “Dawkins, I wish you to become acquainted with your fellow clerk, Paul Prescott.” Dawkins looked surprised, and anything but gratified as he responded stiffly, “I have the honor of being already acquainted with Mr. Prescott.” “He is a little jealous of an interloper,” thought Mr. Danforth, noticing the repellent manner of young Dawkins. “Never mind, they will get acquainted after awhile.” When George Dawkins went home to dinner, his father observed the dissatisfied look he wore. “Is anything amiss, my son?” he inquired. “I should think there was,” grumbled his son. “What is it?” “We've got a new clerk, and who do you think it is?” “Who is it?” “The adopted son of old Cameron, the sexton.” “Indeed,” said Mrs. Dawkins. “I really wonder at Mr. Danforth's bad taste. There are many boys of genteel family, who would have been glad of the chance. This boy is a low fellow of course.” “Certainly,” said her son, though he was quite aware that this was not true. “What could have brought the boy to Danforth's notice?” asked Dawkins, senior. “I don't know, I'm sure. The boy has managed to get round him in some way. He is very artful.” “I really think, husband, that you ought to remonstrate with Mr. Danforth about taking such a low fellow into his counting-room with our George.” “Pooh!” said Mr. Dawkins, who was a shade more sensible than his wife, “he'd think me a meddler.” “At any rate, George,” pursued his mother, “there's one thing that is due to your family and bringing up,--not to associate with this low fellow any more than business requires.” “I certainly shall not,” said George, promptly. He was the worthy son of such a mother. XXVI. A VULGAR RELATION. At the end of the first week, Paul received five dollars, the sum which the merchant had agreed to pay him for his services. With this he felt very rich. He hurried home, and displayed to the sexton the crisp bank note which had been given him. “You will soon be a rich man, Paul,” said Mr. Cameron, with a benevolent smile, returning the bill. “But I want you to keep it, Uncle Hugh.” “Shall I put it in the Savings Bank, for you, Paul?”