“How much do you pay him, sir, if it is not a secret?”
“Oh, no; he receives five dollars a week to begin with. I will pay him the same in the office. And that reminds me; how would you like to have a situation in the factory? Would you like to take Leonard’s place?”
“Yes, sir, if you think I would do.”
“I feel quite sure of it. Have you ever done any manual labor?”
“No, sir.”
“I suppose you have always been to school.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You are a gentleman’s son,” proceeded Mr. Jennings, eying Carl attentively. “How will it suit you to become a working boy?”
“I shall like it,” answered Carl, promptly.
“Don’t be too sure! You can tell better after a week in the factory. Those in my employ work ten hours a day. Leonard Craig doesn’t like it.”
“All I ask, Mr. Jennings, is that you give me a trial.”
“That is fair,” responded the little man, looking pleased. “I will tell you now that, not knowing of any vacancy in the factory, I had intended to give you the place in the office which Mr. Gibbon has asked for his nephew. It would have been a good deal easier work.”
“I shall be quite satisfied to take my place in the factory.”
“Come in, then, and see your future scene of employment.”
They entered a large room, occupying nearly an entire floor of the building. Part of the space was filled by machinery. The number employed Carl estimated roughly at twenty-five.
Quite near the door was a boy, who bore some personal resemblance to the bookkeeper. Carl concluded that it must be Leonard Craig. The boy looked round as Mr. Jennings entered, and eyed Carl sharply.
“How are you getting on, Leonard?” Mr. Jennings asked.
“Pretty well, sir; but the machinery makes my head ache.”
“Your uncle tells me that your employment does not agree with you.”
“No, sir; I don’t think it does.”
“He would like to have you in the office with him. Would you like it, also?”
“Yes, sir,” answered Leonard, eagerly.
“Very well. You may report for duty at the office to-morrow morning. This boy will take your place here.”
Leonard eyed Carl curiously, not cordially.
“I hope you’ll like it,” he said.
“I think I shall.”
“You two boys must get acquainted,” said Mr. Jennings. “Leonard, this is Carl Crawford.”
“Glad to know you,” said Leonard, coldly.
“I don’t think I shall like that boy,” thought Carl, as he followed Mr. Jennings to another part of the room.
CHAPTER XVII.
CARL ENTERS THE FACTORY
WHEN they left the factory Mr. Jennings said, with a smile:
“Now you are one of us, Carl. To-morrow you begin work.”
“I am glad of it, sir.”
“You don’t ask what salary you are to get.”
“I am willing to leave that to you.”
“Suppose we say two dollars a week and board–to begin with.”
“That is better than I expected. But where am I to board?”
“At my house, for the present, if that will suit you.”
“I shall like it very much, if it won’t inconvenience you.”
“Hannah is the one to be inconvenienced, if anyone. I had a little conversation with her while you were getting ready for dinner. She seems to have taken a liking for you, though she doesn’t like boys generally. As for me, it will make the home brighter to have a young person in it. Hannah and I are old- fashioned and quiet, and the neighbors don’t have much reason to complain of noise.”
“No, sir; I should think not, ‘ said Carl, with a smile.
“There is one thing you must be prepared for, Carl,” said Mr. Jennings, after a pause.
“What is that, sir?”
“Your living in my house–I being your employer–may excite jealousy in some. I think I know of one who will be jealous.”
“Leonard Craig?”
“And his uncle. However, don’t borrow any trouble on that score. I hope you won’t take advantage of your position, and, thinking yourself a favorite, neglect your duties.”
“I will not, sir.”
“Business and friendship ought to be kept apart.”
“That is right, sir.”
“I am going back to the house, but you may like to take a walk about the village. You will feel interested in it, as it is to be your future home. By the way, it may be well for you to write for your trunk. You can order it sent to my house.”