"Why not let your sister go to the poorhouse for a few years, till you
are older, and better able to provide for her?"

"I should be ashamed to do it, sir," he said. "I promised my mother to
take care of Grace, and I will."

"How much do you earn as a cash-boy?"

"Three dollars a week."

"Only three dollars a week! Why, that won't pay your own expenses!" said
the old gentleman in surprise.

"Yes, sir, it does. I pay fifty cents a week for my room, and my meals
don't cost me much."

"But you will want clothes."

"I have enough for the present, and I am laying up fifty cents a week to
buy more when I need them."

"You can't buy many for twenty-six dollars a year. But that doesn't
allow anything for your sister's expenses."

"That is what puzzles me, sir," said Frank, fixing a troubled glance
upon the fire. "I shall have to work in the evenings for Grace."

"What can you do?"

"I could copy, but I suppose there isn't much chance of getting copying