"Do you know what time I get up?" asked Mr. Bickford, with a touch of indignation in his tone.
"I would like to know," answered Kit meekly.
"Wa'al, I get up at five o'clock. What do you say to that, hey?"
"I think it is very early."
"I suppose you couldn't get up so early as that?"
"I might, if there was any need of it."
"I reckon there will be need of it if you're goin' to work for me."
Kit cleared his throat. He felt that the time had come for an explanation.
"Mr. Bickford," he said, "I owe you an apology."
"What?" said Bickford, regarding his young companion in surprise.