for himself."

"He will do his duty," said the housekeeper, firmly, "but there is a
duty which you owe to him, as well as he to you."

"Don't I always do my duty by boys, Mrs. Bickford?"

"No, Mr. Holden, I don't think you do. You know very well you can never
get a boy to stay with you."

"This boy is bound to me, Mrs. Bickford--legally bound."

"That may be; but if you don't treat him as he ought to be treated, he
will run away, take my word for it."

"If he does, he'll be brought back, take my word for that, Mrs.
Bickford. I shall treat him as I think he deserves, but as to petting
and pampering the young rascal I shall do nothing of the kind."

"I don't think you will," said the housekeeper. "However, I've warned
you."

"You seem to take a good deal of interest in the boy," said Abner,
sneeringly.

"Yes, I do."

"After half an hour's acquaintance."

"I've known him long enough to see that he's better than the common run