"Do you want him? I understand you are about ready to put a gang of ditchers to work in that wheat field. But you haven't told me what kind of underdraining you are going to do there. Tile is awfully expensive just now, Hiram." Adam Banks slouched into hearing before Hiram could reply. "Well?" asked Mr. Bronson briskly of the newcomer. "Do you wish to see me?" "I hear you are hiring men for spring work, Mr. Bronson," said Banks respectfully. "I'd like a job." "I am not hiring anybody at Sunnyside," the farm owner said promptly. "That is all in Mr. Strong's hands. If he likes your looks and can make use of you--" "That kid!" interrupted Adam Banks, turning red in the face and glaring scornfully at Hiram. "I want work all right, but--" "You don't act as though you do," Mr. Bronson interposed. "Mr. Strong is in charge here." "Why don't you get a man to run your farm for you, Mr. Bronson?" asked Banks boldly. "You know my dad owns a good farm, and I've been brought up to work. And I'm a voter. Why don't you give a young man like me a chance to show you what can be done here on Sunnyside?" "Well, now," Mr. Bronson said, his eyes twinkling, "I really didn't know about you when I was looking about for a farmer. What's your name?" "Ad Banks. You know my dad." "I presume so. Well, Mr. Banks, I fear it is too late now. A bargain is a bargain. I have hired Mr. Strong--" "But that fellow ain't of age. You can see that plain. Your contract ain't binding if he's under age--and he is." "Indeed? Then you are quite a lawyer as well as a farmer, Mr. Banks. However, I always consider a contract binding, with whomever made." He turned away; but Adam Banks did not lack persistence. He urged: "If you ain't found out yet whether this Strong can fill the bill or no, I might be handy if I was working for you here, Mr. Bronson. I could jump right in and take hold when he gets into trouble--as he will. What are you paying for day's work?" "I am not paying anything. I tell you, young man, Mr. Strong will do all the hiring. And the discharging, too, for that matter. Do you want this fellow, Hiram?" he asked the young farm manager bluntly. "Say, what use is there askin' him?" broke in Banks, with disgust. "He's heard what I said. He knows what I think of him for a boss. What chance is there of my getting a job on his say-so?" "I am afraid I cannot make use of Mr. Banks," said Hiram quietly. "No! Of course you can't. You'd ruther take in tramps. I hear you've begun that. And we don't think much of tramps in these parts." Mr. Bronson merely smiled, waiting to see how Hiram Strong would handle the situation. "Just because you made a bid for my job doesn't influence me to refuse your services, Mr. Banks," the boy from the East said. "But I have two things against you." "What's them?" demanded Banks sneeringly.