d Mrs. Perkins. Why didn't you tell me before?"

"There's no hurry about bad news, aunt."

"I am afraid we'll all have to go to the poorhouse," said Aunt Jane,
sighing.

"Perhaps we may, but we'll see what else we can do first. Wait and
Hope, aunt--that's my motto."

Mrs. Bradford shook her heard mournfully.

"I don't mind it so much for myself," she said; "but I can't help
thinking of you and Tony."

"Tony and I are coming out all right. There's lots of ways of making
money, aunt. Just do as I do--'Wait and Hope.'"

Chapter II

Three Situations

Before going further it may be as well to explain exactly how the
Bradfords were situated. To begin with, they had no rent to pay.
The small house in which they lived belonged to an old bachelor
uncle of Mrs. Bradford, living in Montreal, and all they were
required to do was to pay the taxes, which amounted to very little,
not more than twelve dollars a year. Ben had earned at the factory
five dollars a week, and his aunt averaged two. To some readers
it may seem remarkable that three persons could live and clothe
themselves on seven dollars a week; but Mrs. Bradford was a
good manager, and had not found the problem a difficult one.

Now, however, the question promised to become more difficult. If
Ben found nothing to do, the family would be reduced to two dollars
a week, and to live comfortably on that small sum might well appal
the most skilful financier.

Ben woke up early, and immediately began to consider the situation.
His motto was "Wait and Hope"; but he knew very well that he must
work while he was waiting and hoping, otherwise he would differ very
little from the hopeful Micawber, who was always waiting for
something to turn up.

"Aunt Jane," he said, after a frugal breakfast, over which Mrs.
Bradford presided with an uncommonly long face, "how much
money have you got on hand? I want to know just how we
stand."

Mrs. Bradford opened her pocketbook with a sigh, and produced
two one-dollar bills and thirty-seven cents in change.

"There's only that between us and starvation," she said mournfully.

"Well, that's something," said Ben cheerfully. "Isn't it, Tony?"

"It's a lot of money," said the inexperienced Tony. "I never had so
much in all my life."

"There, somebody thinks you are rich, Aunt Jane," laughed Ben.

"What should the poor child know of household expenses?" said
Mrs. Bradford.

"To be sure. Only we may get some