“When did he make the offer, Mr. Winter?”
“Day afore yesterday.”
“And why didn’t you speak to me about it before?”
“You’re too young to know what’s good for yourself.”
“But I have no wish to learn shoemaking.”
“Boys like you don’t seem to realize that they must earn their livin’.”
“I am ready to earn my living, but I want to have something to say about the way I am to earn it. I intend to make my living in New York.”
“I can’t let you go. I’ve given my word to Silas Flack.”
Ben was exasperated, but they had reached the farm, and he concluded to take a short time to think over his stepfather’s proposal. One thing he determined upon, and that was to see Mr. Flack and find out what negotiations had passed between the shoemaker and Mr. Winter.
In the middle of the afternoon, being sent on an errand, he went a little out of his way to visit Silas Flack’s shop. It was a tiny place, for Silas did business only in a small way. Entering the shop he began: