Reuben was half-frightened, half-pleased at this chance of entering upon such a life. "Well, talk it over with your parents," said Mr. Akenside, "and let me know in a day or two what you decide." So Reuben hastened home, eager to tell his news. It created no little excitement in the family circle. The matter was not one to be decided in a moment. Reuben's parents discussed it gravely. His father saw no reason why the lad should wish to change his lot. He was doing well enough under Mr. Brown. Let him stay where he was, and let well alone. By the accounts one heard, people did not always improve their condition by moving off to town. But Reuben's mother judged differently. She was a shrewd, sensible woman, and she loved her son with a wise, unselfish love. It seemed to her that this was a chance for Reuben which it would be wrong to throw away. "You see," she said to her husband, "it's not like going to town with the mere hope of finding work. Here's a good master ready to engage Reuben, and I doubt not, if the lad does well, he will rise in his service. And then maybe he'll be able to help on his brothers and sisters. He's our eldest, and we must do the best we can for him." "Ay, but what will you do without him, wife? You'll be sore set without Reuben." "I shall miss the lad, no doubt, for he's a good lad, is Reuben. But Robert is growing up now, and ought to be able to do as much for me. It's for Reuben himself to decide, after all. But if he wants to go, we'll not say him nay." Reuben was surprised, almost startled, at this ready consent; he had not expected the way to be made so easy. But he was glad on the whole, for of late he had begun to feel dissatisfied with his life at Ashworth. He had little thought that he would so soon be able to take Owen Grant's advice, and follow him to Birmingham. As he heard the lamentations of his young brothers and sisters, and the regrets of the neighbours, and saw how much, though she made little ado about it, his mother felt his going, it was with mingled feelings that Reuben prepared for his departure. But he had scant time to think about it, for Mr. Akenside wanted him immediately. Only two days after the decision was made, Reuben started for Birmingham. Owen Grant's home was a very different one to that of Reuben Roy. A pleasant, old-fashioned garden, full of sweet-smelling flowers, surrounded the house, which was very old, with a grey thatched roof, darkened by moss, and latticed windows. Such a picturesque rural dwelling, of genuine antiquity, is becoming rare in the England of to-day. Owen's father had lived there all his days, and "his" father before him. The house, with the garden ground about it, and the bit of meadow beyond, was his own. Former generations of Grants had owned much land at Ashworth; but the fortunes of the family had dwindled, and now all that remained of their property was this small homestead.