“Be calm, Bobby; you are in a passion,” said Mrs. Bright.

“I am surprised, marm,” began Mr. Hardhand, who prudently refrained from repeating the offensive language—­and I have no doubt he was surprised; for he looked both astonished and alarmed.  “This boy has a most ungovernable temper.”

“Don’t you worry about my temper, Mr. Hardhand; I’ll take care of myself.  All I want of you is not to insult my mother.  You may say what you like to me; but don’t you call her hard names.”

Mr. Hardhand, like all mean, little men, was a coward; and he was effectually intimidated by the bold and manly conduct of the boy.  He changed his tone and manner at once.

“You have no money for me, marm?” said he, edging towards the door.

“No, sir; I am sorry to say that I have been able to save only five dollars since I paid you last; but I hope—­”

“Never mind, marm, never mind; I shall not trouble myself to come here again, where I am liable to be kicked by this ill-bred cub.  No, marm, I shall not come again.  Let the law take its course.”

“O, mercy!  See what you have brought upon us, Bobby,” exclaimed Mrs. Bright, bursting into tears.

“Yes, marm, let the law take its course.”

“O Bobby!  Stop a moment, Mr. Hardhand; do stop a moment.”

“Not a moment, marm.  We’ll see;” and Mr. Hardhand placed his hand upon the latch string.

Bobby felt very uneasy, and very unhappy at that moment.  His passion had subsided, and he realized that he had done a great deal of mischief by his impetuous conduct.

Then the remembrance of his morning, adventure on the bridge came like a flash of sunshine to his mind, and he eagerly drew from his pocket the handkerchief in which he had deposited the precious gold,—­doubly precious now, because it would enable him to retrieve the error into which he had fallen, and do something towards relieving his mother’s embarrassment.  With a trembling hand he untied the knot which secured the money.

“Here, mother, here is thirty-five dollars;” and he placed it in her hand.

“Why, Bobby!” exclaimed Mrs. Bright.

“Pay him, mother, pay him, and I will tell you all about it by and by.”

“Thirty-five dollars! and all in gold!  Where did you get it, Bobby?”

“Never mind it now, mother.”

Mr. Hardhand’s covetous soul had already grasped the glittering gold; and removing his hand from the latch string, he approached the widow.

“I shall be able to pay you forty dollars now,” said Mrs. Bright, taking the five dollars she had saved from her pocket.

“Yes, marm.”

Mr. Hardhand took the money, and seating himself at the table, indorsed the amount on the back of the note.

“You owe me sixty more,” said he, maliciously, as he returned the note to his pocket book.  “It must be paid immediately.”

“You must not be hard with me now, when I have paid more than you demanded.”