have borne it better, but he knew that his loss of place meant privation
and want for his mother, unless he could find something to do that would
bring in an equal income, and this he did not expect.

"Mr. Baker," he said, addressing the foreman of his room, on his return
from the superintendent's office, "I am discharged."

"Discharged?" repeated the foreman, in surprise. "There must be some
mistake about this. You are one of our best hands--for your age, I
mean."

"There is no dissatisfaction with my work that I know of, but I got into
a quarrel with Halbert Davis yesterday, and his father wants me to
apologize to him."

"Which you won't do?"

"I would if I felt that I were in fault. I am not too proud for that.
But the fact is, Halbert ought to apologize to me."

"Halbert is a mean boy. I don't blame you in the least."

"So I am to report my discharge to you, and ask you for my wages."

This account was soon settled, and Robert left the factory his own
master. But it is poor consolation to be one's own master under such
circumstances. He dreaded to break the news to his mother, for he knew
that it would distress her. He was slowly walking along, when he once
more encountered Halbert Davis. Halbert was out for the express purpose
of meeting and exulting over him, for he rightly concluded that Robert