I went, and received two dollars per week; but at first the work was even more irksome than the factory.

I had to run a small steam-engine and to fire the boiler in the cellar of the bobbin factory.

It was too much for me.

I found myself night after night, sitting up in bed trying the steam gauges, fearing at one time that the steam was too low and that the workers above would complain that they had not power enough, and at another time that the steam was too high and that the boiler might burst.
But all this it was a matter of honor to conceal from my parents.

They had their own troubles and bore them.