improvident!" said Herbert "We have
had to spend all our income, but we are not in debt--that is, we have no
debts that we are unable to pay."

"That is well," said Squire Walsingham, "but, my young constituent--I
mean my young friend--I apprehend that you do not take a right view
of public office. It is not designed to support a privileged class in
luxury."

"Luxury, on four hundred a year!" replied Herbert.

"I am speaking in general terms," said the squire, hastily. "I mean to
say that I cannot recommend a person to office simply because he or she
needs the income."

"No, sir, I know that; but my mother understands the duties of the
office, and no complaint has been made that she does not make a good
postmaster."

"Possibly," said the squire, non-commitally; "but I am opposed upon
principle to conferring offices upon women. Men are more efficient, and
better qualified to discharge responsible duties."

"Then, sir," said Herbert, his heart sinking, "I am to understand that
you do not favor the appointment of my mother?"

"I should be glad to hear that your mother was doing well," said the
squire, "but I cannot conscientiously favor the appointment of a woman
to be postmaster of Wayneboro."

"That means that he prefers the appointment should go to his nephew,"
thought Herbert.

"If my mother were not competent to discharge the duties," he said, his
face showing his disappointment in spite of himself, "I would not ask
your influence, notwithstanding you were a schoolmate of father's, and
he lost his arm while acting as your substitute."

"I have already said that I wish your mother well," said the squire,
coloring, "and in any other way I am ready to help her and you. Indeed,
I may be able to secure you a situation."

"Where, sir?"

"Mr. Graham needs a boy in his store, and I think he will take you on my
recommendation."

"Is Tom Tripp going away?" asked Herbert.

"The Tripp boy is unsatisfactory, so Mr. Graham tells me."

Herbert knew something of what it would be to be employed by Mr. Graham.
Tom Tripp worked early and late for a dollar and a half per week,
without board, for a hard and suspicious taskmaster, who was continually
finding fault with him. But for sheer necessity, he would have left
Mr. Graham's store long ago. He had confided the unpleasantness of
his position to Herbert more than once, and enlisted his sympathy and
indignation. Herbert felt that he would not like to work for Mr. Gra