“I suppose he didn’t say nothin’ about his place?”
“Yes; he likes it very much.”
“I don’t like to say it, widder, but he’s deceivin’ you. I saw his employer myself, and he said that he had to discharge Chester.”
Somehow Mrs. Rand did not seem so much disturbed by this intelligence as the storekeeper thought she would be.
“Oh, you mean the real estate office,” she said.
“Yes; I was treated quite handsome by Mr. Mullins, the bookkeeper, who is runnin’ the business while Mr. Fairchild is away. He says Chester wasn’t spry enough, that he wasn’t wide awake enough to work in the city.”
Mrs. Rand actually smiled.
“So that is what he said,” she returned. “I can tell you why Chester was discharged. Mr. Mullins wanted to give the place to his nephew.”
“Mebbe so,” answered Silas, dubiously. “Anyhow, it’s unfortunate for Chester to lose his place. I feel for you, Mrs. Rand, as I always liked Chester myself, and I came here to-night to say that I’m ready to take him back into the store, and give him two dollars and a half a week. He suits me.”
Mr. Tripp leaned back in the rocking-chair and looked as if he had made a very handsome proposal.