The following fortnight was a comparatively happy one for the lad . But he did not forget his purpose of shaking the dust of Upton from his feet as soon as possible , and he cudgelled his brains trying to find a way . On the evening when he left the Stearns ' homestead , Mr. Stearns paid him for his fortnight 's work , much to the boy 's surprise , for Mrs. Elwell had always insisted that all such money should be paid directly to her . Chester found himself the possessor of four dollars -- an amount of riches that almost took away his breath . He had never in his whole life owned more than ten cents at a time . As he tramped along the road home , he kept his hand in his pocket , holding fast to the money , as if he feared it would otherwise dissolve into thin air . His mind was firmly made up . He would run away once and for all . This money was rightly his ; he had earned every cent of it . It would surely last him until he found employment elsewhere . At any rate , he would go ; and even if he starved , he would never come back to Aunt Harriet 's ! When he reached home , he found Mrs. Elwell in an unusual state of worry . Lige had given warning -- and this on the verge of harvest ! `` Did Stearns say anything about coming down tomorrow to pay me for your work ? '' she asked . `` No , ma'am . He did n't say a word about it , '' said Chester boldly . `` Well , I hope he will . Take yourself off to bed , Ches . I 'm sick of seeing you standing there , on one foot or t ` other , like a gander . ''
XXXXX had been shifting about uneasily .
Ches Chester Elwell Harriet Lige Stearns Upton cents evening fortnight