"
Ben faced round, and looked steadily at Sam. He felt that he would
far rather work for Deacon Pitkin, in spite of his meager table, or
toil twelve hours a day in his uncle's shoe-shop, than accept such a
place as was now offered him. He penetrated Sam's motive, and felt
incensed with him, though he did not choose to show it.
"What are you willing to pay?" asked Ben, in a businesslike tone.
"Five dollars a month and your board," said Sam. "You'll live better
than you ever did before in your life, and your duties will be
easy."
"What would you want me to do?" asked Ben.
"Why, I would take you with me whenever I went out rowing or
fishing. That would be easy enough. Then, in the morning you would
black my shoes and keep my clothes well brushed, and go of any
errands I had for you. Oh, well, I can't tell you all you would have
to do, but you'd have an easy time."
"Yes, I don't think it would tire me out," said Ben. "You'd want me
to black your boots?"
"Yes."
"Well, I might agree to that on one condition."
"What is that?"
"That you would black mine."
"What do you mean?" demanded Sam, his face flushing angrily.
"Just what I say.
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