Ralph's remaining time as bridge tender went swiftly by, and on the day set by the committee he was paid off by Squire Paget, and Dan Pickley was duly installed in his place.
"What are you going to do now?" asked the squire, as he handed over Ralph's salary.
"I don't know yet," returned the boy.
"Guess you'll find it rather hard to find work around Westville."
"I don't know. I haven't had any chance of looking around."
"Well, I'm sorry for you," went on Squire Paget, hypocritically. "I don't like to see any one out of work."
"Really! It was yourself got me out of the job!" retorted Ralph.
"No, it wasn't, Nelson; it was your own hasty temper. If you hadn't attacked Percy—but let that pass——"
"Percy was in the wrong—I shall always say so——" interrupted Ralph.
"There you go!" snarled the squire. "I was going to offer you a situation on one of my canal boats, but I shan't do it now. You don't deserve it."