dwell on the process, the final result was this. He rose at last
to eminence as a carver: but as an inventor and forger of carving tools
he had no rival in England.

Having with great labor, patience, and skill, completed a masterpiece of
carving (there were plums with the bloom on, and other incredibles),
and also a set of carving-tools equally exquisite in their way, he got a
popular tradesman to exhibit both the work and the tools in his window,
on a huge silver salver.

The thing made a good deal of noise in the trade, and drew many
spectators to the shop window.

One day Mr. Cheetham, a master-cutler, stood in admiration before the
tools, and saw his way to coin the workman.

This Cheetham was an able man, and said to himself, "I'll nail him for
Hillsborough, directly. London mustn't have a hand that can beat us at
anything in our line."

He found Henry out, and offered him constant employment, as a forger and
cutler of carving-tools, at L4 per week.

Henry's black eyes sparkled, but he restrained himself. "That's to be
thought of. I must speak to my old lady. She is not at home just now."

He did speak to her, and she put her two hands together and said,
"Hillsborough! Oh Henry!" and the tears stood in her eyes directly.

"Well, don't fret," said he: "it is only saying no."

So when Mr. Cheetham called again for the reply, Henry declined, with
thanks. On this, Mr. Cheetham never moved, but smiled, and offered him
L6 per week, and his journey free.

Henry went into another room, and argued the matter. "Come, mother, he
is up to L6 a week now; and that is every shilling I'm worth; and, when
I get an apprentice, it will be L9 clear to us."

"The sight of the place!" objected Mrs. Little, hiding her face in her
hands instinctively.

He kissed her, and talked good manly sense to her, and begged her to
have more courage.

She was little able to deny him, and she consented; but cried, out of
his sight, a good many times about it.

As for Henry, strong in the consciousness of power and skill, he felt
glad he was going to Hillsborough. "Many a workman has risen to the
top of the tree in that place," said he. "Why, this very Cheetham was
grinding saws in a water-wheel ten years ago, I've heard uncle Joe say.
Come, mother, don't you be a baby! I'll settle you in a cottage outside
the smoke; you shall make a palace of it; and we'll rise in the very
town where we fell, and friends and foes shall see us."

M