"That is what Captain Littleton advises me to do."

"But you haven't money enough."

"I can give a mortgage for five hundred dollars. The rent of the house
is one hundred and forty dollars, and Mr. Freeman says he cannot afford
to let it for any less. Now, if we buy it, we can pay a thousand dollars
down, and we shall owe five hundred, on which we shall have to pay the
interest, amounting to thirty dollars. By this plan, we should have to
pay out only about fifty dollars a year for interest and taxes, or about
a dollar a week. In this way we can get along on five dollars a week."

"Buy the house then, by all means, mother. Five dollars a week! Well, I
think I shall be able to support the family, after all."

"You, Paul?" exclaimed Mrs. Duncan, with a smile.

"I am sure I can."

"What do you intend to do?"

"I don't know yet."

"Your poor father intended that you should enter the High School this
fall; but I suppose that cannot be. Captain Littleton said he would get
you a place where you could have two or three dollars a week."

"I must make more than that, mother," replied Paul, shaking his head.

"You must not be too ambitious. If you get two or three dollars a week,
you will do very well, and that sum will be a great help to me."

"You heard what father said to me in his last moments?" said Paul, with
solemn earnestness. "He told me to take care of my mother and of my
brothers and sisters, and I mean to do so."

"But he never had a thought that you could earn money enough to support
the whole of us. You are a good boy, Paul, but you must not try to do
too much."

"If we can live on five dollars a week, I am almost sure I can earn
that."

"That is a good deal for a boy like you."

"I can do it, I know."

"Captain Littleton said he would find a place for you."

"I shall be very much obliged to him, and will take any place I can get;
but I am certain before long that I can make five dollars a week."

"Don't think of such a thing. There are a great many men who get no more
than that. You must work your way up, little by little, Paul, and one of
these days you will obtain a good situation."

"That's just what I mean to do. Little by little--that's my motto; and
if I can only get hold any where, you may leave the rest to me."

"You are a good boy, Paul, and you will succeed by and by," said Mrs.
Duncan, proudly. "I expect to get some work myself next week, and I have
no doubt we shall do very well.