“I think I can raise enough,” said Joe, smiling.
“My young friend is the owner of this restaurant,” said Watson.
“You don’t say! I thought you hired him.”
“No. On the contrary, I am in his employ. I have agreed to run the restaurant for him while he is at the mines.”
“You don’t say!” exclaimed Bickford, surveying our hero with curiosity. “Have you made much money in this eating-house?”
“I’ve done pretty well,” said Joe modestly. “I own the building and the two adjoining lots.”
“You don’t say! How old be you?”
“Sixteen.”
“You must be all-fired smart!”
“I don’t know about that, Mr. Bickford. I’ve been lucky and fallen in with good friends.”