“I didn’t suppose you had. What use would you be to me then, eh?” Mr. Cummings peered sharply at him. “I could sweep and run errands and--and wash windows and the like of that,” replied the applicant imperturbably. “I’ll tell you how it is, sir. I live out to Derry, and----” “What’s your name?” “Tom Pollock, sir.” “I didn’t know there were any Pollocks in Derry.” “There ain’t, sir, except me. I live with my uncle, Mr. Bowles.” “Israel Bowles?” “Yes, sir.” “Hm. So you’re Israel’s nephew, eh? Didn’t know he had any kin. Well, all right. Then what?” “I’m going to high school next week,” went on the boy. He spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully and sometimes correcting himself as he talked. “I got to live in town because, you see, I couldn’t get back and forth every day.” “Aren’t the trains running out to Derry any more?” “Yes, sir, but--but it would cost too much, you see. So I thought maybe if I could get some work here in Amesville----” “How in tarnation do you expect to work and go to school too?” “I don’t have to go to school until half-past eight and I’d be all through by three, and I thought if I could find some work to do in the morning before school and then in the afternoon----” “I see. Well, I guess you wouldn’t be worth much money to anyone, working that way, son.” “No, sir, that’s what I thought. I wasn’t expecting to get much, either.” “Weren’t, eh? How much?” “Well, about----” He hesitated, viewing the merchant anxiously. “Of course I don’t know much about what folks pay, but Uncle Israel said----” “Hold on a bit,” interrupted Mr. Cummings suspiciously. “Did that old--did Israel Bowles tell you to come to me?” “No, sir. I just started up at the other end of town and worked along. I’ve been at it most all morning.” “Hm. Didn’t find anything, eh?” “Not yet,” answered Tom cheerfully. “I got--I’ve got the other side of the street yet, though. An’--and I ain’t--haven’t been on the side streets at all. I guess I’ll find something.” “Hope you do,” said the merchant. “But I guess you wouldn’t be much use to me. How much did you say you wanted?” “Two--two and a half a week,” said the boy. He gulped as he said it and looked questioningly at the merchant. “I thought,” he continued as Mr. Cummings’s countenance told him nothing, “that if I could get enough to pay my lodging I’d make out, sir.” “Got to eat, though, haven’t you?” “I--I got a little saved up, sir. I worked for a man over to--over in Fairfield most of the summer.” “What for? Isn’t your uncle hiring help any more? Hasn’t given up farming, has he?” “No, sir, but--well, I made more working for Mr. Billings.”