“See! I have got twenty-five cents already,” cried the lad, holding up the tiny note. “A gentleman gave it to me, and forgot to take his paper; and—and—oh, sister! I forgot; he wants to find out where you live, and has got lots of fine work for you. He is in such a hurry to have it done, that he offered to give me a dollar only to find out where to send it. Only think! But then he didn’t know that I was your brother. A dollar for finding you out! Isn’t that splendid, Anna?” “Joseph, dear, what are you talking about?” said Anna, a little startled by this intelligence. “No gentleman can want me.” “Oh, yes! there does. Only—only, now I think of it, he said you wasn’t a lady; and I know you are, and will tell him so to his face; that is, I would, only I am such a little boy.” “Poor darling! It is of no consequence what any one thinks about us—so don’t let it fret you; but tell me, what was this man like? Did you ever see him before?” “No, indeed, sister Anna, I never did.” “Not on the night when we made pictures?” “No; he wasn’t there.” “It is strange,” muttered the young girl, a little troubled. “What could any one want of me?” “He said that it was work he wanted done,” answered the boy, earnestly. “Perhaps Mrs. Savage has told him how nicely you stitch, and embroider, and hem handkerchiefs.” “I think not,” said Anna, quite seriously. “Was he a tall man, Joseph?” “No; not near so tall or large as Mr. Savage. But there he come—there he comes.” Anna looked across the street, and saw a rather small young man, with marks of age on his features; which years had never given them; and those heavy, dim eyes, which grow out of sleepless nights and unsettled habits of life. “It is a stranger; I never saw him before,” said Anna, in a low, frightened voice. “Come home with me, Joseph—come away at once. He looks this way, as if he were coming over.” “No, he won’t. He’s walking on; don’t be frightened, Anna. He’s a very nice gentleman, and only wants some work done.” “No, no! Come with me, child!” “I mustn’t till Robert and the boy comes back; the papers are not mine, you know.” “True, true; but come home the moment you can, dear; and tell that man nothing about me. I am afraid of him.” “I won’t tell a word, Anna; nothing shall make me. There, he’s coming back again.” Anna caught one glance of the man and walked on. The moment she was out of sight, the young man came across the street, taking out his port-monaie as he approached the boy. “Here is your money,” he said. “Now tell me where the young lady lives—where I can send the work?” “She doesn’t want any work, sir!” “Won’t you take the money, my boy?” “No, sir!” “Why not?” “Because that young lady is my sister, and told me not.” CHAPTER X. ROBERT GETS A SITUATION.