“Yes, sir.”

“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.”

“Very well, sir.”

Herbert made good time going home.  He was eager to tell his mother the good news of his engagement.

CHAPTER VII.

Eben grows envious.

“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.

Herbert laughed.

“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.

“Where did you get it, Herbert?”

“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.”

“It was a piece of good luck for me, mother.”

“I don’t see how,” said Mrs. Carr, naturally puzzled.

“Because I have a better situation already.”

Then Herbert, who had been saving the best news for the last, told his mother of his engagement as Mr. Melville’s companion, and the handsome compensation he was to receive.

“Six dollars a week!” repeated his mother.  “That is indeed generous.  Herbert, we did well to trust in Providence.”

“Yes, mother; and we have not trusted in vain.”

After dinner Herbert did some chores for his mother, and then went to the hotel to meet his new employer.  He found him occupying a large and pleasant room on the second floor.  The table near the window was covered with books, and there were some thirty or forty volumes arranged on shelves.

“I always bring books with me, Herbert,” said the young man.  “I am very fond of reading, and hitherto I have occupied too much time, perhaps, in that way—­too much, because it has interfered with necessary exercise.  Hereafter I shall devote my forenoon to some kind of outdoor exercise in your company, and in the afternoon you can read to me, or we can converse.”