"Is the boy ready?" asked the blacksmith. "I can take him right over
with me this morning."

"Come into the house, I will send for him."

Mr. Bickford noticed the handsome appearance of the hall, and the front
room, the door of which was partly open, and said: "If the boy's been
used to livin' here, he must be kind of high strung. I can't give him no
such home as this."

"Of course not, Mr. Bickford. He can't expect it. He's a poor boy, and
will have to make his own way in the world. Beggars can't be choosers,
you know."

A servant was sent to the stable to summon Kit. Ralph, who thought he
should enjoy the scene, accompanied him.

Kit regarded the blacksmith with some curiosity.

"This is Mr. Aaron Bickford, of Oakford, Kit," began his uncle.

"I hope you are well, Mr. Bickford," said Kit, politely.

The blacksmith gazed at Kit with earnest scrutiny.

"Humph!" said he; "are you strong and muscular?"

"Pretty fair," answered Kit, with a smile.

"Kit," said his uncle, clearing his throat, "in your circumstances I
have thought it desirable that you should learn a trade, and have spoken
to Mr. Bickford about taking you as an apprentice."

"In what business?" asked Kit.

"I'm a blacksmith," said Mr. Bickford, taking it upon himself to reply,
"and it's a good, healthy business as any you'd want to follow."

"I have no doubt of it," said Kit, quietly, "but I don't think I should
like it all the same. Uncle Stephen, how does it happen that you have
selected such a business for me?"

"I heard that Mr. Bickford needed an apprentice, and I have arranged
matters with him to take you, and teach you his trade."

"Yes," put in Mr. Bickford, "I've agreed to give you your board and a
dollar a week the first year. That's more than I got when I was
'prentice. My old master only paid me fifty cents a week."

Kit turned to his uncle.

"Do you think my education has fitted me for a blacksmith's trade?" he
asked.

"It won't interfere," replied Mr. Watson, a little uneasily.

"Wouldn't it have been well to consult me in the matter? It seems to me
I am rather interested."

"Oh, I supposed you would object, as you had been looking forward to
being a gentleman, but I can't afford to keep you in idleness any
longer, and so have arranged matters with Mr. Bickford."

"Suppose I object to going with him?" said Kit, calmly.

"Then I shall overrule your objections, and compel you to do what I
think is for your good."

K