o think Albert Marlowe might find some place for you. We are near
relations, and he knows how I depend on your earnings."

"He isn't a man to consider that, mother."

Mrs. Barton was silent, but she determined to make an application to her
cousin in Bert's behalf. Accordingly, in the evening, she said to him.
"Bert, I am going out to make a call. I would like to have you look
after the house while I am gone."

"Yes, mother."

Mrs. Barton did not venture to let Bert know of her intention, for he
would have done his best to prevent her applying to the squire for a
special favor. Perhaps he was too proud, but it was an honorable pride.
Besides, he knew very well that the appeal was likely to prove
ineffectual.

With a faltering step Mrs. Barton advanced and rang the bell of her
cousin's handsome house. It was a call from which she shrank, but she
was spurred by necessity.

"Is Mr. Marlowe in?" she inquired.

"I will see, ma'am."

Squire Marlowe was at home, and she was ushered into his presence.

Albert Marlowe was not, on the whole, surprised to see his cousin. He
guessed the errand that brought her, and he frowned slightly as she
entered the room.

"Good evening," he said, in a distant tone. "I hope you are well."

"Well in health, but anxious in mind, Albert," she said. "Bert tells me
that he has been discharged from the shop."

"Yes, but he is not the only one. There are three other boys."

"It has come upon us like a thunderbolt. I had no idea that he was in
any danger of losing his place."

"I have nothing against your son, Mrs. Barton. It is a business
necessity that compels me to dispense with his services."

"Why a business necessity?"

"You may have heard that I intend to introduce a pegging machine. It
will do the work cheaper and more effectually than under the present
system."

"Oh, why couldn't you have let matters remain as they were? You may
gain something, but you are depriving the boys of their livelihood."

"You don't regard the matter in a business light, Mrs. Barton. I must
keep up with the times. Other manufacturers are making the change, and I
should stand in my own light if I adhered to the old-fashioned system."

"I don't pretend to know about business, Albert, but I do know that in
dismissing Bert you deprive us of more than half our income, and Heaven
knows we need it all."

"Your son can find something else to do."

"What is there for him to do in Lakeville? I shall be