The possession of three dollars changed me at once. I became independent, confident, secure. When father came in I went to him without a single misgiving, feeling sure he would approve. I had my money in my hand and my spirit was high. I told him I had been working for Mr. Near all week; that I had three dollars in wages and wanted him to take care of them for me. He took the money and put it in his pocket, saying: “All right. Let me know when you want it.”

“And you don’t mind my working for Cy?”

“No. I don’t mind. Cy told me all about it. You will have to learn to work sometime. And you will have to learn lots of other things. So you may as well start at Cy’s.”

He turned to his paper, and I thought the thing was settled, but as I went out of the room I saw him twisting up the end of his long beard.