"That's because Dan is willing to do any work the squire wishes done," responded Bob Sanderson. "That fellow will do anything for pay."
That evening Ralph and his mother had a talk, in which it was decided that old Bob Sanderson should be allowed to remain at the cottage at the nominal amount of a dollar per week for board, until he managed to obtain another situation, or until jobs in his line became more numerous.
When Sanderson was told of this he was very grateful. As he had no other boarding-place in view, he gladly accepted the offer, and promised that the widow and her son should lose nothing by their kindness.
On the following morning Ralph was collecting toll, when a man approached the bridge, and began to watch proceedings. The man was Dan Pickley.
"What brings you, Pickley?" asked Ralph, after the latter had been watching him for some time.
"Came down to get the run of things," returned Pickley.
"Then you are to have the job after I leave?"
"Reckon I am. The squire said as much."
"The squire and you are rather thick," remarked the young bridge tender, coolly.
"Oh, I don't know," returned the man, uneasily. "He knows a good hand to hire when he wants him."