"You must give me something to do, Mr. Nixon. I will attend to any business that requires attention—that is, provided you think I am competent."
"I shall be glad to accept your offer; but if you are entering my service you must be paid."
"Mr. Nugent will see that I am paid."
"No, no; I cannot allow it. I am a rich man. It is right that I should pay you. I will give you—" he paused for a moment—"sixty dollars a month and your board. Will that be sufficient?"
"It is high pay for a boy."
"You will be doing a man's work."
"I am afraid my services will not be worth that money."
"Have no fear on that score. I am a rich man, as I wrote to Mr. Nugent. I may be worth nearly one hundred thousand dollars."
"Is your wealth known in the settlement?"
"No. I don't think any one considers me worth over five thousand dollars. It is fortunate for me, or there might have been attempts to rob me before."