t to me."

"Is that true?"

"Yes; I generally tell the truth."

"Then you're lucky. If I'd returned it, he wouldn't have given me a
cent."

"It's best to be honest on all occasions," said Luke, looking
significantly at Tom, who colored up, for he now saw that he had been
recognized the night before.

Tom sneaked off on some pretext, and Luke kept on his way home.

"Did you do well to-day, Luke?" asked Bennie.

"Yes, Bennie; very well."

"How much did you make?"

"I'll tell you by and by. Mother, can I help you about the supper?"

"You may toast the bread, Luke. I am going to have your favorite
dish--milk toast."

"All right, mother. Have you been sewing to-day?"

"Yes, Luke. I sat so long in one position that I got cramped."

"I wish you had a sewing machine."

"So do I, Luke; but I must be patient. A sewing machine costs more
money than we can afford."

"One can be got for twenty-five dollars, I have heard."

"That is a good deal of money for people in our position."

"We may as well hope for one. I shouldn't be surprised if we were able
to buy a sewing machine very soon."

Meanwhile Luke finished toasting the bread and his mother was dipping
it in milk when a step was heard on the stairway, the door was opened,
and Nancy's red head was thrust into the room.

"Please, Mrs. Walton," said Nancy, breathlessly, "there's a man
downstairs with a sewing machine which he says is for you."

"There must be some mistake, Nancy. I haven't ordered any sewing
machine."

"Shall I send him off, ma'am?"

"No, Nancy," said Luke; "it's all right. I'll go down stairs and help
him bring it up."

"How is this, Luke?" asked Mrs. Walton, bewildered.

"I'll explain afterwards, mother."

Up the stairs and into the room came the sewing machine, and was set
down near the window. Bennie surveyed it with wonder and admiration.

When the man who brought it was gone, Luke explained to his mother how
it had all come about.

"You see, mother, you didn't have to wait long," he concluded.

"I feel deeply thankful, Luke," said Mrs. Walton. "I can do three
times the work I have been accustomed to do, and in much less time.
This Mr. Afton must be a kind and charitable man."

"I like him better than his clerks," said Luke. "There is a red-headed
bookkeeper and a boy there who tried to snub me, and keep me out of
the office. I try to think well of red-headed people on account of
Nancy, but I can't say I admire them."