One incident did not pass off so pleasantly. A hulking young fellow turned in at the gateway of Sunnyside and hailed Hiram:
"Where's your dad?"
"Unfortunately he has been dead for some years," Hiram told him. "Won't I do?"
"Huh! Where's Mr. Bronson?"
"You'll find him at his home in Plympton."
"Well, when's he here?"
"I could not say for sure when he is to be here. Hadn't you better tell me your business?"
"I hear he wants to hire men for work here; but I want to do my business with the boss."
"Then you can talk with me, for anybody who works on this farm will have to look upon me as the boss," Hiram told him, smiling.
"You ain't got charge of this farm?"