"Well, you're cross to-night; I'll say that for you, Larry," he
declared, bluntly, and then turned back into the boiler-room and shut
the door.

"There is something wrong, and no mistake about it," was Larry's
conviction as he hurried home.

He was not too deeply worried to eat--a healthy boy seldom is. His
mother was more cheerful than she had been at dinner-time; or, at least,
she made an effort to appear so.

"Has everything gone well to-day, Larry?" she asked, as he rose from the
table.

"As well as I could expect. There are one or two annoying fellows at the
works, and they're envious because the super lets me run the big engine.
They think I'm too young."

"It is a responsible position, Larry, and it makes me proud of you to
feel that you fill it so well."

"It isn't hard to do; only I have to keep my wits about me. It wouldn't
do to forget anything; and you know they say a boy _will_ forget."

"All boys are not alike, Larry, and your father would not trust you
unless he felt sure you would always be careful."

Larry could not rest at ease until he had assured himself that it was
all right to leave Gid in charge of the works for the night; and,
without telling his mother what his errand was, he went out to find Mr.