"Was he talking to you?" he demanded.
Evan quickly decided that the only safe hand to play in this strange house was a lone hand; he would take no one into his confidence. "Nothing in particular," he said.
"Why don't you fire him, George?" asked his father.
The younger man shrugged wearily. "What's the use? The next one would be no better." He turned his attention to Evan. "Your references were satisfactory," he said. "You may consider yourself engaged. Thirty-five dollars was the sum we agreed on, I believe."
"No, sir, forty dollars," said Evan firmly.
"Ah, my mistake. It's a great deal of money. I hope you'll be worth it. You will be at my father's call whenever he wants you."
"I will come at nine o'clock every morning and stay until five. Sundays are my own of course."
George Deaves turned to his father. "On your part, if I pay out all this money, you must promise me that you will not go out except with this young man."
The old man gave an ungracious assent.
"I will report at nine to-morrow," Evan said.