Tarbox, smiling pleasantly.
"Welcome to Newark," said Mrs. Tarbox, extending her hand. "And how did
you leave your stepfather?"
"He is well," said Prank, coolly.
The two exchanged glances. It was clear that Frank did not like his
stepfather, and this was satisfactory to them. There was the more chance
of his leaving him and boarding with them.
"The children will be so glad to see you," said Mr. Tarbox; "won't they,
Martha?"
"Delighted!" assured the lady.
"Pliny must be about your age. How old are you, by the way?"
"Sixteen."
"Just Pliny's age. Do you remember him?"
Frank remembered a tall, thin stripling who had accompanied his parents
to the Cedars, and who appeared to have an inexhaustible appetite.
"Yes, I remember him. Does he go to school?"
"No; Pliny is in a store," answered Mr. Tarbox.
"Your store?"
"Oh, no! I thought it would be better for him to enter the employ of a
stranger. He is in a bookstore."
There was one great advantage in Pliny's entering the employ of a
stranger. He was paid four dollars a week, whereas Mr. Tarbox paid his
boy but two. Here, then, was a clear gain of two dollars a week.
Pages:
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96