alone, as he wrote, up in his sky-parlor, crooning over
his dismal coke fire. "Was he, then, to begin over
again the weary tramping of the streets?" he said to
himself. "And the future! What did that hold in
store for him? Would the time ever come when he
could follow the bent of his tastes? He was getting
on so well--even Miss Grant had said so--and it had
not interfered with his work at the store, either. The
check in his pocket proved that."

His mother's answer made his heart bound with
joy.

"Take Mr. Slade at his word. He is your friend
and means what he says. Find a place for the summer
where you can live cheaply and where the little
money which you now have will pay your way. In
the fall you can return to your work. Don't think of
coming home, much as I should like to put my arms
around you. I cannot spare the money to bring you
here now, as I have just paid the interest on the mortgage.
Moreover, the whole of Kennedy Square is
upset and our house seems to be the centre of disturbance.
Your father's views on slavery are well
known, and he is already being looked upon with disfavor
by some of our neighbors. At the club the
other night he and Judge Bowman had some words
which were very distressing to me. Mr. Cobb was
present, and was the only one who took your father's
part. Your father, as you may imagine, is very anxious