That was
just the thing. With the wages of the children they would not need much
from him, and he would have more for himself. There was no need of Austin's
having more than was actually necessary, and that would not be much. It was
certainly fortunate that Austin had such a head for business.
But the best-laid plans sometimes prove to have a flaw, and this was
unpleasantly true in this case. Though Mr. Hill explained at length to his
parents how nicely Austin was getting along, he could not make them think
all was _well_. They seemed to think, and others were of the same mind,
that he was neglecting his duty.
"Who has the care of the children?" his mother asked him one day.
"Austin is looking after them," was the easy reply.
"You do not mean to say you left that boy with the care of the children,"
she exclaimed in amazement.
"Why, Mother, he manages them fine. I was gone a month a while back and
everything was running along all right when I came home, and he had Lila
and Doyle then, also."
"It is asking too much of the child, and I do not see how you can do it,"
was the sharp reply. "I will send for them as soon as I get enough ahead to
set up housekeeping," promised Mr. Hill.
"Henry, when are you going to bring those children here?" she asked of him
a few weeks later.
"Austin is working there and the others are helping him, and they are
getting on so well I hate to bother them," he answered.
CHAPTER 4
AUSTIN GOES TO HIS FATHER
One evening Austin and the children were coming home from their work in the
gardens, tired and lonely.
Pages:
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29