business friend of
Mr. Danforth's, the other was Mr. Danforth himself.

The former remarked, on seeing Paul, "Is this your son, Danforth?"

"No," said the merchant, nodding in a friendly manner to Paul.

"That's a good joke," thought Dawkins, chuckling to himself; "Mr.
Danforth must be immensely flattered at having a sexton's adopted son
taken for his."

After a final word or two on business matters, and arrangements for
another interview, the visitor departed, and Mr. Danforth, now at
leisure, turned to Paul.

"Now my lad," he said kindly, "if you will follow me, we shall have a
chance to talk a little."

Paul followed the merchant into his office, the door of which was
closed, much to the regret of Dawkins, who had a tolerably large share
of curiosity, and was very anxious to find out what business Paul could
possibly have with his employer.

"Take that seat, if you please;" said Mr. Danforth, motioning Paul to
an arm-chair, and sitting down himself, "Mrs. Danforth told me from how
great a peril you rescued her. You are a brave boy."

"I don't know," said Paul, modestly, "I didn't think of the danger. If I
had, perhaps I should have hesitated."

"If you had not been brave you would have thought of your own risk. My
wife and myself are under very great obligations to you."

"That more than repays me for all I did," said Paul, in a tone of
mingled modesty and manliness.

"I like the boy," thought Mr. Danforth; "he is certainly quite superior
to the common run."

"Have you left school?" he inquired, after a pause.

"Yes, sir. Last term closed my school life."

"Then you have never been in a situation."

"Yes, sir."

"Indeed! Before you left school?"

"No, sir, since."

"You did not like it, then?"

"No, sir," said Paul.

"And was that the reason of your leaving?"

"No, sir; my employer was not satisfied with me," said Paul, frankly.

"Indeed! I am surprised to hear this! If you have no objection, will you
tell me the circumstances?"

Paul related in a straightforward manner the difficulty he had had with
Smith & Thompson.

"I hope you don't think I did wrong," he concluded.

"By no means," said Mr. Danforth, warmly. "Your conduct was entirely
creditable. As for Smith, I know of him. He is a sharper. It would have
done you no good to remain in his employ."

Paul was pleased with this commendation. He had thought it possible that
his dismissal from his former situation might operate agai