“I’d like to speak to you on a matter of business.”
Ben’s face flushed in spite of the effort he made to look unconcerned, and it vexed him that his voice trembled.
The old man addressed surveyed the boyish figure before him.
“Business?” he questioned.
“Yes. It’s about the Works.”
“Well, what about ’em?”
“I should think there’d be a good deal of lumber in the frame and bricks in the chimney.”
“Yes, I s’pose there is; but what’s that to you?”
“I want to know what you’ll take for the whole concern as it stands? I suppose the lease you’ve got won’t run forever.”