Lom makes an Acquaintance. 167

 

worked hard, and were paid for it. As soon
as he heard the front door open, he ran down
stairs and told his papa all about it, while he
was taking off his hat and hanging up his
coat.

“And what can I do?” said Tom, eagerly.

“There are two ways in which you can
earn some money, answered his papa. “ If
you choose to weed the garden, instead of
the gardener, I will pay you for the work by
the hour. Or if you choose to go without
butter for your tea, I will give you the money
that I generally pay for the quantity you eat.”

Tom stood with his back to the wall think-
ing.

“And then,” said he, “it would be my very
own money ?”

“Your very own,” answered his papa, “that
you will have earned for yourself.”

“T should like,” said Tom, “to do what
would get me the most money—to weed the
garden, and go without the butter also.
May I?”

“Certainly,” answered his papa; “if you