her. By that time I shall be getting higher wages, and it may
not be necessary."

"I didn't expect that you would take it so, Sam."

Ben received the following answer to his letter.

"Dear Ben: I thank you for your kind letter. I feel very much
ashamed of the way I have treated you in the past. I didn't know
what a good fellow you were. I am afraid I shouldn't have
behaved as well in your place. As to your offer, I accept it
thankfully. I shall be very glad to get the place you speak of.
Mother and I intend to move to Boston, as it is no longer
agreeable to stay here. Do you know of any boarding-house
where the prices are reasonable, for we cannot afford to pay
high rates? If you do, please find out on what terms we can be
accommodated, and let me know."

Ben was pleased.

"Sam has improved," he thought.

By the first of the month Sam and his mother were established in a
boarding-house on Warren Avenue and Sam had entered upon his
duties in Milk Street.

Chapter XXXI

Clouds in the Sky

Ben felt that he and his aunt were fortunately situated. From the time
when his salary was raised he had laid aside two dollars a week,
which he deposited in the savings-bank on School Street. His aunt,
having no rent to pay, easily got along on her income from work and
from the liberal board paid for little Emma.

"I am getting on," thought Ben, complacently regarding his bank
book, at the end of three months. "I am worth twenty-six dollars
already."

Little Emma, his aunt's boarder, was a child of pleasant disposition,
and had given little trouble to Mrs. Bradford. Her health, too, had
been excellent, until all at once she became pale and thin. Mrs.
Bradford felt it her duty to report this to Mr. Manning, the child's
guardian. By his direction, a skillful physician was consulted, who
gave it as his opinion that the best thing for the child would be a sea
voyage. This was communicated to Mr. Manning.

"Fortunately," he responded, "my sister starts in a fortnight for
Europe. She will be absent six months. I have prevailed upon her to
take charge of Emma."

Mrs. Bradford was glad that the little girl would have a chance to
recover her former health and bloom; but she felt her loss doubly,
on account of her society, and on account of the loss of income
which her absence would involve. It was not until after Emma had
actually gone that she felt the full force of the last consideration. So
the p