“Then, you can’t pay me what you owe me?” said Joshua, soberly.

“Not just now. In fact, I must wait till the end of the week, when I get my wages.”

“How much do you get then?”

“Twenty dollars.”

“You will surely pay me then?”

“Of course. You ain’t afraid to trust me?” said Sam, in a tone indicating his enjoyment of the joke.

“No,” returned Joshua, slowly; but he would have much preferred to receive payment there and then.

“I don’t think I shall run away on account of such a debt,” said Sam, laughing. “If it was two thousand dollars, instead of two, I might, you know.”

“Two dollars and ten cents,” corrected Joshua.

“What a mean hunks!” thought Sam. “He’s going to be worse than his father, and that’s saying a good deal.”