it
was something which they did not wish to discuss before him; and, while
he was naturally curious to learn the cause of his father's sudden
journey, he was too discreet to ask any questions about the matter.

"Did you speak to Mr. Gardner about my running the engine?" he asked, as
he took his seat at the table.

"No; that wasn't necessary. You have taken my place several times within
a year, when I have been away or ill, and you are always with me when
your school isn't keeping. I have told him more than once that you knew
about the engine as well as I did; and you know I have always taken
pains to explain everything, and to have you do all of the work at
times, when I was there to show you how."

Larry's heart swelled with pride under these frankly spoken words. His
father was not much given to praising any one, and the boy had often
felt hurt that no word of acknowledgment ever came as a reward when he
had successfully done some difficult work.

This made the praise which came now all the more inspiring. Mr. Gardner,
the superintendent, had frequently given his shoulder an approving tap,
and Joe Cuttle, the fireman, often said that "the lad could run the
engine as well as any man." But Mr. Kendall, who ought to have been the
first to observe and appreciate his son's success, seemed scarcely to
have given it a thought.

"He may reason that I'll try harder if I think I'm not perfect than I
would if he praised me more," Larry often told himself, and now the
long-wished-for expression of confidence had come.

[Illustration:
LARRY]

[Illustration:
"I WANT YOU TO TAKE THIS FELLOW AWAY FROM THE ENGINE BEFORE WE'RE ALL
BLOWN OUT OF THE BUILDING TO PAY FOR HIS CARELESSNESS."]

With so much to think about, Larry could eat but little breakfast, and
his appetite was not improved by the manifest distress of his mother and
the taciturnity of his father.

"It is nearly six, Larry," reminded the latter, breaking the silence.

"Yes, sir. I will go right along."

He flung on his cap and buttoned up his coat, lingering at the door for
a parting word from his father. But none came.

"What shall I say to Mr. Gardner?" Larry asked, unable to go without
breaking the silence.

"You needn't say anything."

"But he may ask why you didn't come. He always does, unless you give
notice the night before."

"Your mother told you I was going away, and that is enough for you to
tell him. You needn't let it trouble you, anyway;