ord to ask less," faltered Mrs. Gilbert.

"That isn't the point," he said. "You don't ask enough. I will pay you
six dollars a week--the first week in advance."

"I should never think of asking so much," said Mrs. Gilbert, amazed.
"Are you sure----"

"That I can afford to pay so much?" asked Uncle Obed, who understood her
thought. "Yes; I have a little something, though you might not think it
from my clothes. When my trunk comes--I left it at a hotel in New
York--I will dress a little better; but I wanted to try an experiment
with my niece, Mrs. Ross. Here's the money for the first week."

And, drawing out a large wallet, he took therefrom two bills--a five and
a one.

"It will make me feel very easy," said Mrs. Gilbert, gratefully, "even
if Harry doesn't get any regular work, though I hope he will."

"I should like to warn you of one thing," said Uncle Obed. "Don't let
people know how much board I pay. If Mrs. Ross chooses to think I am
very poor, let her. She won't pester me with hypocritical attentions,
which I shouldn't value."

Harry was delighted at his mother's good fortune in obtaining so
valuable a boarder. Six dollars a week would go a long way in their
little household.

It gave him fresh courage in his efforts to obtain a place, for he knew
that, even if it was deferred, his mother would not suffer from the
delay.

CHAPTER X

PHILIP MEETS HIS MATCH

Though it would have been possible for the Gilberts to get along now
without help from Harry's earnings, his desire to obtain employment was
quite as great as before.

As he had no place in view, he continued to go to the berry field every
day, supplying his mother with what she needed, and disposing of the
rest to Mr. Mead.

The field in which he had at first picked being nearly exhausted, he
bent his steps in another direction, where he learned that there was
still a good supply. The field belonged to a Mr. Hammond, a substantial
farmer, who had no objections to the berries being picked, but required
parties to obtain his permission.

As Mr. Hammond was understood to be very well to do, Mrs. Ross and her
son condescended to associate with him and his family on equal terms.

On the particular morning when Harry sought the field, Philip was
crossing the pasture on his way to a river, where he kept a rowboat,
when he espied two children, Tommy and Rose Perkins, picking berries.

They were children of eight and ten, and it occurred to Phi