ll excuse you for an hour while you are
getting your Latin lesson."

"I don't like Latin, mother," grumbled Roy, "at least not to-night. I am
afraid I can't fix my thoughts on the lesson. I want to be with Andy."

"What are you studying in Latin, Roy?" asked Andy.

"_Caesar_."

"If you wish, I will help you."

"Can you?" asked Roy, joyfully.

"I have been through _Caesar_, and _Virgil_, also. When I left the
academy I was studying _Cicero_."

"Roy will be glad of your help, Andy," said his mother. "I did not know
you were such a scholar."

"I was getting ready for college, but my father's losses required me to
break off."

Andy proved such an efficient helper that Roy found himself at leisure
in half an hour.

In the meantime Mrs. Mason asked her brother:

"What do you think of my protege?"

"He seems a manly and attractive boy."

"Can't you find something for him to do?"

"I will talk with him presently, and then decide."

CHAPTER XXI.

NEW PROSPECTS.

After Roy, with Andy's assistance, had prepared his lesson in _Caesar_,
John Crawford began to converse with him with a view of forming a
judgment of his business qualifications.

"Are you especially interested in the jewelry line?" he asked.

"No, sir. It was merely chance that led me to Mr. Flint's store."

"I see you are a Latin scholar. What career did you expect to follow if
your father's misfortune had not interrupted your education?"

"I don't think I should care for a profession. I prefer a life of
business."

"You have had no special business in view?"

"No, sir. I think I could adapt myself to any that I had an opportunity
to follow."

"What pay did you receive from Mr. Flint?"

"Five dollars a week."

"I will tell you why I am inquiring. I am in the real estate business,
in rather a large way. I have a boy in the office who is not suited to
his position. He is a good scholar, but has no head for business. I have
made up my mind to discharge him on Saturday. Would you like his place?"

"Very much, sir."

"I can only offer you five dollars a week, but as soon as you make
yourself worth more I will raise you."

"That is quite satisfactory, Mr. Crawford. As soon as Mr. Flint returns
I can get a recommendation from him. I am quite sure I shall like your
business better."

"My sister's recommendation is sufficient."

"Thank you, John," said Mrs. Mason.

"If you become interested in the business and show an aptitude