"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."