“Well, so am I, but I ain't had your fun getting that way. Small and I have been at it night and day getting things in shape so he could leave. He's gone. Went this noon. And that ain't the worst of it; I haven't got anybody yet to take his place. I'll have to be cashier and bookkeeper too for a spell. There's applicants enough; but they don't suit. Guess likely you'll have to help me out, after all, Ros. The job is yours if you say the word.”
He laughed as he said it. Even to him the idea of my working was a joke.
But the joke did not seem funny to me, just then. I walked on for some distance without a word. Then I asked a question.
“What is expected of a man in that position?” I asked.
“Expected? Why, plain bank bookkeeping—not much else at first. Yet there's a good chance for a likely fellow to be considerable more, in time. I need help in my part of the work. That's why I haven't hired any of the dozen or so who are after the place. What makes you ask? You don't know of a good man for me, do you, Ros?”
“When do you want him to begin?”
“To-morrow morning, if he satisfies me.”
“Would I satisfy you?”
“You! Humph! Try me and see, that's all I'd ask.”
“All right. I'll be on hand in the morning.”