"All right. But—but, Tim, I—I was going to ask—"
"Well? Do get on—what an ass you are! What do you want?" interrupted the other impatiently.
"'Twas about the money. Could you—I mean, would you mind paying me first? I'll do the work—I will, indeed."
"It'll be the worse for you if you don't," said Timothy. "But as for paying first, I don't know as I've got the money. What d'you want it for?"
"I can't tell you—at least, I mean, for food and clothes," answered Stephen, looking extremely distressed and embarrassed. "But never mind, Tim; if you can't do it, I'll wait."
"No; you can have it. I daresay I'll be making more to-night," said the reckless Timothy, and he got out two half-sovereigns and gave them to Stephen.
"Now, remember," he said, "if you say I ain't paid you, or if you don't do the work properly, and anything happens while I'm away, I'll break every bone in your body."
No one could look at the two and doubt Timothy's power to wreak his anger on the slim, weakly-looking youth, some ten years younger than himself.
"All right; I'll take care," answered Stephen, who never wasted words; and they separated.
The following evening Stephen arrived, as arranged, in the twilight, at the big mill, and was admitted by Timothy at a little side-door.