“I have thought of it a good deal. A good many things will be open to me if I am well educated, which would otherwise be closed to me.”

“I see, and I understand why you want a better education.”

“I am not likely to get it, however. If the choice lies between working on a farm and working in your factory, I will work for you if I can get the chance. The wages I got would hire a boy to work on the farm, and there are boys who would be willing to do it.”

“We employ about thirty at present, but I could make room for a boy of your age and ability. What pay would you want?”

“It is for you to fix that.”

“I might give you five dollars a week to begin with.”

“That would be satisfactory. Would I be preparing myself for higher work?”

“Yes, I would put you in the way of that.”

“I would certainly rather work for you than for Mr. Winter.”

“I am to consider that a compliment, I suppose?”