Ben was dusting books, when a glance toward the door revealed the entrance of Sam. The latter had cherished a faint hope that James had deceived him, and that Ben was really not employed. "How shall I receive him?" Ben asked himself. He decided to treat him coolly, but not to quarrel. "Good morning, Bradford," said Sam. "Good morning, Archer," was the return greeting. Sam didn't quite like this familiarity. "How do you like working here?" "Very much," answered Ben. "Much better than in the mill," he added significantly. "I shouldn't think they'd have taken a green country boy," suggested Sam pleasantly. "Perhaps they wouldn't if a friend hadn't written for me," said Ben with a meaning glance at Sam. "How much pay do you get?" "I would rather not say." "Because it is so small," said Sam, with a sneer. "On the contrary, I look upon it as liberal. I am doing better than if I had remained at Milltown." This was bad news for Sam. "I am really obliged to the person who wrote the letter which secured me the position," Ben added. "It isn't much of a business to dust books." "I sell books sometimes," said Ben, smiling. "Can I show you something this morning." "No, I don't want anything. Where do you live?" "I board on Warren Avenue." "In a cheap boarding-house?" "There are some very nice people who board there." Sam came to a sudden decision. Would it be possible to induce Ben to give up his place, and enter the mill again? He could be discharged after awhile, and cast adrift. It was rather foolish to suppose that Ben would snap at such a bait, but he decided to try it. "I think you would be better off in the mill," he said. "You could board at home, and help your aunt. You would soon be promoted, too." "I thought you didn't want me to enter the mill," exclaimed Ben, amazed. "Your father told me that my record was not good;" and Ben looked indignant. "Father was feeling out of sorts," said Sam smoothly. "He will take you on if you'll come back." "What does the fellow mean?" thought Ben. It didn't take him long to guess. If he should return to the mill he would be once more in Sam's power. "You really think your father would employ me?" "Yes, he would if I asked him to." "I would thank you, Sam Archer, if I thought your offer was a friendly one." "What makes you think that it isn't." "The feeling which I have reason to think you entertain for me, and your conduct in the past." "You are too suspicious, Ben." "If I find I am, I will apologize to you. It would be foolish for me to give up so good a position in order to accept a poor one, which is not all permanent." "Well, Bradford, I must bid you good morning. Just write to me if you decide to accept." "If I decide to accept I will." "He's getting very impudent," said Sam to himself, "If I could only get him into the mill I could fix him. We'd let him stay two or three weeks, and then ship him. But he won't do it. Stay, I think of a way."