"Nearly two shillings in the month, sir."
"Not at all bad," said Mr. Loveday, "not at all bad. You must take the breed into account."
"Black Hamburgs, sir, that's the breed for eggs."
"Dorkings, I should say," suggested Mr. Loveday.
"Black Hamburgs will beat them, sir," said Timothy, confidently; and Mr. Loveday, feeling that he was on unsafe ground, wisely held his tongue.
Timothy had saved between five and six shillings out of his wages, and he expended the whole of his savings in putting up a rough fowl-house, and in the addition of a black Hamburg to his live-stock. He began to feel like a proprietor.
"Slow and sure, you know, Timothy," advised Mr. Loveday.
"Yes, sir, and thank you," said Timothy. "I will endeavor not to make mistakes."
"We shall have you chancellor of the exchequer in course of time," said Mr. Loveday, in a tone by no means unkindly.
"I shall be content to earn a living, sir," said Timothy, modestly; and rejoiced largely when he showed his employer two new-laid eggs in one day.