“Yes.”

“Better look out for ’im.”

“Why?”

“He’s bad.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, an’ ugly.”

“Is he?”

“Yes, an’ works you to death. He’s used up three boys a’ready; one went home yisterday all stove to pieces. I wouldn’t work for ’im; I quit.”

Joe was naturally very much startled, but he soon found breath to ask,—