``Take a seat, Frank,'' said Mr. Wharton, pointingto a luxurious armchair on one side of the cheerfulgrate fire; ``I will take the other, and you shall tellme all about yourself.''

　　``Thank you, sir,'' said our hero.

　　His confidence was won by Mr. Wharton's kindtone, and he briefly recounted his story.

　　At the conclusion, Mr. Wharton said:

　　``How old are you, Frank ?''

　　``Fourteen, sir.''

　　``You are a brave boy, and a good boy, and youdeserve success.''

　　``Thank you, sir.''

　　``But I am bound to say that you have a hard taskbefore you.''

　　``I know it, sir.''

　　``Why not let your sister go to the poorhouse for afew years, till you are older, and better able toprovide for her?''

　　``I should be ashamed to do it, sir,'' he said. ``Ipromised my mother to take care of Grace, and Iwill.''

　　``How much do you earn as a cash-boy?''

　　``Three dollars a week.''

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

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

　　``But you will want clothes.''

　　``I have enough for the present, and I am layingup fifty cents a week to buy more when I need them.''

　　``You can't buy many for twenty-six dollars ayear. But that doesn't allow anything for yoursister's expenses.''

　　``That is what puzzles me, sir,'' said Frank, fixinga troubled glance upon the fire. ``I shall have towork in the evenings for Grace.''

　　``What can you do?''

　　``I could copy, but I suppose there isn't muchchance of getting copying to do.''

　　``Then you have a good handwriting?''

　　``Pretty fair, sir.''

　　``Let me see a specimen. There are pen and inkon the table, and here is a sheet of paper.''

　　Frank seated himself at the table, and wrote hisname on the paper.

　　``Very good,'' said his host, approvingly. ``Yourhand is good enough for a copyist, but you are correctin supposing that work of that kind is hardto get. Are you a good reader?''

　　``Do you mean in reading aloud, sir?''

　　``Yes.''

　　``I will try, if you wish.''

　　``Take a book from the table--any book--and letme hear you read.''

　　Frank opened the first book that came to hand--one of Irving's and read in a clear, unembarrassedvoice about half a page.

　　``Very good indeed!'' said Mr. Wharton. ``Youhave been well taught. Where did you attendschool?''

　　``Only in the town school, sir.''

　　``You have, at any rate, made good use of y............