"Have you come to spend some of the money you received from my friend, the deacon?" "No, sir. It is all the money I have in the world, and I must take good care of it." "Wages don't seem to be very high in Milltown," remarked Mr. Manning pleasantly, and he smiled again. "Not for sawing and splitting wood, sir. They pay very well in the factory. "Were you ever employed in the factory?" "Yes, sir." "How did you happen to lose your place?" inquired Mr. Manning searchingly. "It was the dull times, sir. They discharged quite a number, and as I was one of the latest on, of course I was among the first to go." "You don't complain of that, do you?" "No, sir; but at the same time, it was unlucky for me." "Still, it wasn't as bad as if you were a man with a family to support." "I have a family to support, sir." "You have?" repeated Mr. Manning, a little surprised. "You are rather young--to have a family," he added, with a smile. Ben laughed. "I am not married yet, if that's what you mean," he said; "but I have an aunt and cousin to take care of." "And you find it hard work, eh?" "Yes, sir." "Tell me about it. Here sit down next to me, and tell me how you are situated." Mr. Manning had a sympathetic tone, which invited confidence. So Ben followed his directions, and confided to him all his perplexities. "We got along well enough," he concluded, "as long as I kept my place at the factory. Five dollars a week went a good way with us. Besides, my aunt made about two dollars a week sewing. "Is she making that now?" "No, sir. Even that kind of business is getting dull. Last week she made a dollar and a quarter." "That isn't much." "No, sir. But every little helps." "You are right there. We must not despise small earnings--such as you made in the deacon's employ." "I got paid better than you think, sir," said Ben. "Miss Nancy made it up to me." "Did she? I am glad to hear it. She is a good woman. She understands better than her father the proper price of work." "Yes, sir. Are you any relative to Deacon Sawyer?" "No," said Mr. Manning, "but I have had a little business transaction with the deacon. He's pretty close in money matters." "So people say here, sir." "But I must do him justice, and add that you can rely implicitly upon his word. Well, Ben, what are your plans?" "Only to find work of any kind, sir." "How happened you to come to the hotel here?" "I thought Mr. Brockton might possibly have something for me to do." "Sawing wood, perhaps?" "Yes, sir; or anything else that is honest." "You are a good industrious boy," said Mr. Manning approvingly. "You deserve to succeed." This approval encouraged Ben. "Thank you, sir," he said. "Perhaps I may some time have it in my power to help you." "I hope you may sir. At any rate, I thank you for mentioning it." Mr. Manning paused a moment. He appeared to be in thought. As he remained silent, Ben concluded that the interview was at an end.