Edward would look after the superintendent's form until it was lost to view; then, with a sigh, he would go to school, forgetting all about the Elkins boy whom he had told the father he had come to call for! But what with helping his mother, tending the baker's shop in after-school hours, serving his paper route, plying his street-car trade, and acting as social reporter, it soon became evident to Edward that he had not much time to prepare his school lessons.

By a supreme effort, he managed to hold his own in his class, but no more.
Instinctively, he felt that he was not getting all that he might from his educational opportunities, yet the need for him to add to the family income was, if anything, becoming greater.

The idea of leaving school was broached to his mother, but she rebelled.

She told the boy that he was earning something now and helping much.

Perhaps the tide with the father would turn and he would find the place to which his unquestioned talents entitled him.