Part 5 (2/2)
”I see how it is, Mr. Mead,” said Harry, calmly, though his heart sank within him. ”Howard has the best right to the place. I trust something will turn up for me.”
”I have been perfectly satisfied with you, and am ready to give you the highest recommendation for honesty and fidelity.”
”Thank you, Mr. Mead.”
”You will stay till Sat.u.r.day night, of course, unless something else should offer before that.”
Poor Harry! His heart sank within him as he thought of the serious difference which the loss of his wages would make at home. The prospect of another situation was not very good, for Greenville was a small, quiet place, with very few places of business.
CHAPTER V
LOOKING FOR WORK
Harry shrank from telling his mother that he was about to lose his place, but he knew it must be done.
In the evening, when he got home from the store, he seemed so restless that his mother asked him what was the matter with him.
”This is my last week at the store, mother,” he answered, soberly. ”I suppose that is what makes me feel nervous.”
”Has Mr. Mead been induced by Mrs. Ross to turn you away?” asked Mrs.
Gilbert, beginning to feel indignant.
”No; he isn't that kind of a man.”
”Isn't he satisfied with you?”
”I ought to have told you at first that a nephew of his own needs the place, and he can't afford to employ two boys.”
”I believe Mrs. Ross is at the bottom of it, after all,” said Mrs.
Gilbert.
”No, mother; there you are wrong,” and Harry went on to explain that Howard's appearance was a surprise to his uncle.
”What kind of a boy is he?” asked the widow, disposed to dislike in advance the boy who had been the means of depriving her son of a place.
”He's a nice fellow. I like him already. Of course I am sorry to lose my place, but, if I must, I am willing he should have it. I think we shall be good friends.”
”But what are you going to do, Harry?” asked his mother, anxiously.
”Your wages have been our dependence.”
”I am sure I shall get something else to do, mother,” said Harry, in a tone of confidence which he did not feel. ”Tending store isn't the only thing to be done.”
”I am sure, I hope so,” said Mrs. Gilbert, despondently.
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