Mr. Walton paused before replying to his pro posal.
``You're a little too late,'' he said, at last, to Harry's great relief.
``Too late,'' repeated the squire, hastily. ``Why, you hain't hired out your boy to anybody else, have you?''
``No;
but he has asked me to let him leave home, and I've agreed to it.''
``Leave home? Where's he goin'?''
``He has not fully decided. He wants to go out and seek his fortune.''
``He'll fetch up at the poorhouse,'' growled the squire.
``If he does not succeed, he will come home again.''
``It's a foolish plan, neighbor Walton. Take my word for't. You'd better keep him here, and let him work for me.''
``If he stayed at home, I should find work for him on my farm.''
``I
wanted to help you pay for that cow,'' said the squire, crossly. ``If you can't pay for't when the time comes you mustn't blame me.''
``I
shall blame no one.''
``You mustn't ask for more time. Six months is a long time to give.''
``I believe I haven't said anything about more time yet,'' said Hiram Walton, stiffly. ``Idon't see that you need warn me.''
``I
thought we might as well have an understanding about it,'' said the squire.
``So you won't hire out the boy?''
``No, I
cannot, under the circumstances. If I did I should consider his services worth more than two dollars a month.''
``I
might give him two'n a half,'' said the squire, fancying it was merely a question of money.
``How much do you pay Abner Kimball?''
``Wal, rather more than that,'' answered the squire, slowly.
``You pay him ten dollars a month, don't you?''
``Wal, somewheres about that; but it's more'n he earns.''
``If he is worth ten dollars, Harry would be worth four or six.''
``I'll give three,'' said the squire, who reflected that even at that rate he would be saving considerable.
``I
will leave it to Harry himself,'' said his father.
``Harry, you hear Squire Green's offer. What do you say? Will you go to work for him at three dollars a month?''
``I'd rather go away, as you told me I might, father.''
``You hear the boy's decision, squire.''
``Wal, wal,'' said the squire; ``I hope you won't neither on yer regret it.''
His tone clearly indicated that he really hoped and expected they would. ``I bid you good-night.''
Harry breathed a deep sigh of relief after Squire Green left the room.
``I was afraid you were going to hire me out to the squire, father,'' he said.
``You didn't enjoy the prospect, did you?'' said his father, smiling.
``Not much.''
``The squire didn't seem to like it very well,'' said Mrs. Walton, looking up from her mending.
``No, he fully expected to get Harry for little or nothing. It was ridiculous to offer two dollars a month for a boy of his age.''
``I am afraid he will be more disposed to be hard on you when the time comes to pay for the cow. He told you he wouldn't extend the time.''
``He is not likely to after this; but, wife, we won't borrow trouble. Something may turn up to help us.''
``I am sure I shall be able to help you about it, father,'' said Harry.
``I
hope so, my son, but don't feel too certain. You may not succeed as well as you anticipate.''
``I
know that, but I mean to try at any rate.''
