"And you are getting twelve dollars weekly here?"
"Yes, sir."
"Quite a come down from twenty-five dollars a week to twelve, isn't it?"
"Yes, sir, as far as dollars and cents go. But there are other things to consider when one starts out to make a future for himself."
"You are right, my lad; there are other things to consider. The trouble is that few of our young men of the present generation consider them. They expect to be pushed along to the head of the procession, but without the trouble of taking their turn in the ranks and learning the business by the sweat of their brows. I should like to be able to give you more money; in fact, I have been considering giving you an increase very soon. If you change, of course, I shall not be able to do that. Wages in the mills are fixed."
"Yes, sir."
"A certain scale of prices prevails and it is not within my power to change those prices. Only the Board of Directors can do that by a two-thirds vote."
"I shall be content with my present wages," answered Rush.
"That is just the trouble. You will not receive your present wages. Your wages will, of necessity, be reduced with your change of occupation."