“Oh, I'm willing to do most anything. I've been taking care of rowboats and working around a summer hotel, at Lake Tandy.”
“Well, ye won't git many boats to look at down to Philadelphy!” and the old farmer chuckled.
“I suppose not. Maybe I'll strike a job at one of the hotels.”
“Perhaps. They tell me some hotels down there is monsterous—ten an' twelve stories high. Ye don't catch me goin' to no sech place. In case o' fire, it's all up with ye, if you're on the twelfth story.”
“Are you going to Philadelphia to stay, Mr.——”
“Bean is my name—Josiah Bean. I'm from Haydown Center, I am. Got a farm there o' a hundred acres.”
“Oh, is that so!”
“Wot's your handle, young man?”
“My name is Joe Bodley. I came from Riverside.”
“Proud to know you.” And Josiah Bean shook hands. “No, I ain't going to stay in Philadelphy. I'm a-going on business fer my wife. A relative left her some property an' I'm a-goin' to collect on it.”