"I—I don't care; he must be discharged."
"On the contrary, Conkling, he will stay. That young man is just the kind of man we want here."
The superintendent spoke with considerable emphasis.
"What he says is true, Conkling, so far as the fifty dollars is concerned," continued the president. "Had I known what sort of boy we had to deal with I certainly should have insisted on your voting him more money or else none at all."
"He would not have accepted it under the circumstances," interrupted Mr. Keating.
"No; that is quite evident, and I respect him for his position. You must admit, gentlemen, that Rush's viewpoint is somewhat unusual these days. How much is he earning, Keating?"
"His wages are a dollar a day."
"Then promote him at once."
"I have offered to, but he doesn't want it. He is working his way up, and desires to follow the same course that any one does in going through the mills. Mr. Carrhart is responsible for his being here. He takes a very keen interest in both boys."
"Oh, he does, eh?"