ke the idea of wearing it, but a boy in his
position has no right to be proud."

"Of course not," returned the major, his ruling passion gratified by
the prospect of saving the price of a suit. "When Joseph comes
home--at any rate, after he is through with his chores--you may tell
him to come in to me."

"All right, sir."

Before Oscar remembered this message, the scene narrated at the
commencement of the chapter occurred. On his way to complain to his
father, he recollected the message, and, retracing his steps, said to
Joe:

"My father wants to see you right off."

This was a summons which Joe felt it his duty to obey. He
accordingly bent his steps to the room where Major Norton usually sat.

CHAPTER II

THE STAINED SUIT

"Oscar tells me that you wish to see me, sir," said Joe, as he
entered the presence of his pompous employer.

Major Norton wheeled round in his armchair and looked at Joe over his
spectacles. He looked at Joe's clothes, too, and it did strike him
forcibly that they were very shabby. However, there was Oscar's
stained suit; which was entirely whole and of excellent cloth. As to
the stains, what right had a boy like Joe to be particular?

"Ahem!" said the major, clearing his throat. "Oscar tells me that
you are not satisfied with the clothes I have I given you."

"He has told you the truth, Major Norton," replied Joe bluntly. "If
you will look for yourself, I think you will see why I am
dissatisfied."

"Joseph," said the major, in a tone of disapproval, "you are too free
spoken. I understand you have been complaining to Doctor Raymond's
daughter of the way I dress you."

"Did Oscar tell you the way that happened?" inquired Joe.

"I apprehend he did not."

"When I was walking home with Miss Annie Raymond, Oscar came up and
insulted me, calling me a ragamuffin. I told him that, if I was a
ragamuffin, it was not my fault."

Major Norton looked disturbed.

"Oscar was inconsiderate," he said. "It seems to me that your
clothes are suitable to your station in life. It is not well for a
boy in your circumstances to be 'clothed in purple and fine linen,'
as the Scriptures express it. However, perhaps it is time for you to
have another suit."

Joe listened in astonishment. Was it possible that Major Norton was
going to open his heart and give him what he had long secretly
desired?

Our hero's delusion was soon dissipated.

Major Norton rose from his seat, and took