"That is true. Perhaps it would be well to provide for that contingency. Will you take it all, and take care of it for me?"
Mark regarded the old man with surprise.
"What—take it away with me?" he asked.
"Yes. I shall have to employ you as my man of business till I get better. I will speak with you about it further when you return with the medicines."
"Do you know how much there is here?" asked Mark.
"No; you may count it, if you like."
Mark did so and announced as the result of his count, "Twenty-nine dollars and thirty cents."
"Very well! You may keep an account of what you expend for me," said the old man, indifferently.
"He seems to put a good deal of confidence in me," Mark reflected, with some satisfaction.
"Is there nothing else you want in the village?" Mark asked, as he prepared to go.