Those people who had but a few days before cast suspicious, knowing glances at him, as if to say, "I know your record," were now most cordial and painstaking to try and impress him with a sense of their friendship and their admiration for his bravery and manly conduct.
Fred now thought that he could see his way back to his old position among his friends, and the hope made him happy.
He wondered what Nellie thought of him now, and whether his act that had won the praise of so many had placed him in a better light before her eyes. How much he wanted to see her and receive her praise! A single word from her would have been more highly prized than the most flattering compliments of twenty others.
Shortly after Mr. Farrington returned to his desk from the scene at the flockers, Jacob Simmons entered the factory and approached him.
"Can you give me a job?" said he meekly. "I have finished my fall work, and would like to get in here during the cold weather."
"Yes, I want a man at once."
"I'm your man, then," returned Jacob hopefully.
"Can you commence work now? I have just discharged a man, and must put some one in his place, or the work will fall behind."
"Sho! How fortunate!"
"Fortunate for you, you mean?"