n was his course.

As our hero entered the family room with the basket of fish on his
arm, the little crusty old man fixed the glance of his evil eye upon
him.

"There is that boy, marm, idling away his time by the river, and
eating you out of house and home," said the wretch. "Why don't you set
him to work, and make him earn something?"

"Bobby is a very good boy," meekly responded the widow Bright.

"Humph! I should think he was. A great lazy lubber like him, living on
his mother!" and Mr. Hardhand looked contemptuously at Bobby.

"I am not a lazy lubber," interposed the insulted boy with spirit.

"Yes, you are. Why don't you go to work?"

"I do work."

"No, you don't; you waste your time paddling in the river."

"I don't."

"You had better teach this boy manners too, marm," said the creditor,
who, like all men of small souls, was willing to take advantage of the
power which the widow's indebtedness gave him. "He is saucy."

"I should like to know who taught _you_ manners, Mr. Hardhand,"
replied Bobby, whose indignation was rapidly getting the better of his
discretion.

"What!" growled Mr. Hardhand, aghast at this unwonted boldness.

"I heard what you said before I came in; and no decent man would go to
the house of a poor woman to insult her."

"Humph! Mighty fine," snarled the little old man, his gray eyes
twinkling with malice.

"Don't, Bobby; don't be saucy to the gentleman," interposed his
mother.

"Saucy, marm? You ought to horsewhip him for it. If you don't, I
will."

"No, you won't!" replied Bobby, shaking his head significantly. "I can
take care of myself."

"Did any one ever hear such impudence!" gasped Mr. Hardhand.

"Don't, Bobby, don't," pleaded the anxious mother.

"I should like to know what right you have to come here and abuse my
mother," continued Bobby, who could not restrain his anger.

"Your mother owes me money, and she doesn't pay it, you young
scoundrel!" answered Mr. Hardhand, foaming with rage.

"That is no reason why you should insult her. You can call _me_
what you please, but you shall not insult my mother while I'm round."

"Your mother is a miserable woman, and----"

"Say that again, and though you are an old man, I'll hit you for
it. I'm big enough to protect my mother, and I'll do it."

Bobby doubled up his fists and edged up to Mr. Hardhand, fully
determined to execute his threat if he repeated the offensive
expression, or any other of a similar import