Scarcely was supper placed on the table when Paul entered. He was a stout, manly boy of fifteen, who would readily have been taken for a year or two older, with a frank, handsome face, and an air of confidence and self-reliance, which he had acquired through his independent efforts to gain a livelihood. He had been thrown upon his own resources at an age when most boys have everything done for them, and though this had been a disadvantage so far as his education was concerned, it had developed in him a confidence in himself and his own ability to cope with the world not usually found in boys of his age. "Well, mother," said he briskly, "I am glad supper is ready, for I am as hungry as a wolf." "I think there will be enough for you," said his mother, smiling. "If not, we will send to the baker's for an extra supply." "Is a wolf hungry, Paul?" asked Jimmy, soberly accepting Paul's simile. "I'll draw you one after supper, Jimmy, and you can judge," answered Paul. "Your animals all look like cows, Paul," said his little brother. "I see you are jealous of me," said Paul, with much indignation, "because I draw better than you." "After supper you can look at my last picture," said Jimmy. "It is copied from _Harper's Weekly."_ "Pass it along now, Jimmy. I don't think it will spoil my appetite." Jimmy handed it to his brother with a look of pardonable pride. "Excellent, Jimmy. I couldn't do it better myself," said Paul. "You are a little genius." "I like drawing so much, Paul. I hope some time I can do something else besides copy." "No doubt you will. I am sure you will be a famous artist some day, and make no end of money by your pictures." "That's what I would like--to make money." "Fie, Jimmy! I had no idea you were so fond of money." "I would like to help mother just as you are doing, Paul. Do you think I will ever earn as much as you do?" "A great deal more, I hope, Jimmy. Not but what I am doing well," added Paul in a tone of satisfaction. "Did you know, mother, it is six months to-day since I bought out the necktie stand?" "Is it, Paul?" asked his mother with interest. "Have you succeeded as well as you anticipated?" "Better, mother. It was a good idea putting in a case of knives. They help along my profits. Why, I sold four knives to-day, making on an average twenty-five cents each." "Did you? That is indeed worth while." "It is more than I used to average for a whole day's earnings before I went into this business." "How many neckties did you sell, Paul?" asked Jimmy. "I sold fourteen." "How much profit did you make on each?" "About fourteen cents. Can you tell how much that makes?" "I could cipher it out on my slate." "No matter; I'll tell you. It makes a dollar and ninety-six cents. That added to the money I made on the knives amounts to two dollars and ninety-six cents." "Almost three dollars." "Yes; sometimes I sell more neckties, but then I don't always sell as many knives. However, I am satisfied."