“Don't that pay you for your morning's work?” asked Melville.
“I don't know but the money ought to go to you, Mr. Melville,” said Herbert, “as I am now in your employ. Besides, you caught a part of them.”
“I waive all claim to compensation,” said the young man, “though it would be a novel sensation to receive money for services rendered. What will you say, Herbert, when I tell you that I never earned a dollar in my life?”
“It is really true,” said George Melville, “my life has been passed at school and college, and I have never had occasion to work for money.”
“I don't know that; I think those who work for the money they receive are happy. Tell me, now, don't you feel more satisfaction in the sixty cents you have just been paid because you have earned it?”
“I thought so. The happiest men are those who are usefully employed. Don't forget that, and never sigh for the opportunity to lead an idle life. But I suppose your dinner is ready. You may go home, and come back at three o'clock.”
Herbert made good time going home. He was eager to tell his mother the good news of his engagement.
“Well, mother,” said Herbert, as he entered the house, “I have brought you enough fish for dinner.”
“I waited to see what luck you would have, Herbert, and therefore have not got dinner ready. You will have to wait a little while.”
“I shall be all the hungrier, mother,” said Herbert.
Mrs. Carr could not help noticing the beaming look on her som's face.
“You look as if you had received a legacy, Herbert,” she said.
“There it is,” he said, displaying the sixty cents he had received from the landlord.
“There are ten cents more than I should have received for a whole day's work at the store,” he said.
“I sold a mess of fish to Mr. Barton, of the hotel.”
“You must have had good luck in fishing,” said his mother, looking pleased.
“I had help, mother. Mr. Melville, the young man from the city, who boards at the hotel, helped me fish.”
“Well, Herbert, you have made a good beginning. I couldn't help feeling a little depressed when you left me this morning, reflecting that we had but my pension to depend upon. It seemed so unlucky that Eben Graham should have come home just at this time to deprive you of your place in the store.”