; but his
quick breathing indicated that his words or his walk had been very much
exaggerated. "Has your father returned?"

"He has; he is waiting for you in the sitting room. Come in, Bobby."

Bobby followed her into the room, and took the chair which Annie
offered him.

"How do you do, Bobby? I am glad to see you," said the squire, taking
him by the hand, and bestowing a benignant smile upon him--a smile
which cheered his heart more than any thing else could at that moment.
"I have heard of you before to-day."

"Have you?"

"I have, Bobby; you are a brave little fellow."

"I came over to see you, sir, about something very particular," replied
Bobby, whose natural modesty induced him to change the topic.

"Indeed; well, what can I do for you?"

"A great deal, sir; perhaps you will think I am very bold, sir, but I
can't help it."

"I know you are a very bold little fellow, or you would not have done
what you did this forenoon," laughed the squire.

"I didn't mean that, sir," answered Bobby, blushing up to the eyes.

"I know you didn't; but go on."

"I only meant that you would think me presuming, or impudent, or
something of that kind."

"O, no, far from it. You cannot be presuming or impudent. Speak out,
Bobby; any thing under the heavens that I can do for you, I shall be
glad to do."

"Well, sir, I am going to leave Riverdale."

"Leave Riverdale!"

"Yes, sir; I am going to Boston, where I mean to do something to help
mother."

"Bravo! you are a good lad. What do you mean to do?"

"I was thinking I should go into the book business."

"Indeed!" and Squire Lee was much amused by the matter-of-fact manner
of the young aspirant.

"I was talking with a young fellow who went through the place last
spring, selling books. He told me that some days he made three or four
dollars, and that he averaged twelve dollars a week."

"He did well; perhaps, though, only a few of them make so much."

"I know I can make twelve dollars a week," replied Bobby, confidently,
for that something within him made him feel capable of great things.

"I dare say you can. You have energy and perseverance, and people take
a liking to you."

"But I wanted to see you about another matter. To speak out at once, I
want to borrow sixty dollars of you;" and Bobby blushed, and seemed
very much embarrassed by his own boldness.

"Sixty dollars!" exclaimed the squire.

"I knew you would think me impudent," replied our h