“I don’t mind bringin’ you up your supper for once,” said Tucker. “Of course, I can’t do it reg’lar, but this is the first night.”
“I suppose I shall be better able to make my escape if I eat,” thought Philip. “Probably the most sensible thing is to accept this offer.”
“How much are you to get for my board, Mr. Tucker?” he asked.
“Only sixty cents,” grumbled Tucker. “It ain’t enough, but the town won’t pay any more. You’ve no idea what appetites them paupers has.”
“You made a mistake when you agreed to take me,” said Philip gravely. “I’m very hearty, you’ll be sure to lose money on me.”
Mr. Tucker looked uneasy.
“Well, you see I expect to have you earn part of your board by doin’ chores,” he said, after a pause.
“That will give me a good chance to run away,” remarked Philip calmly. “You’ll have to let me out of this room to work, you know.”
“You wouldn’t dare to run away!” said Tucker, trying to frighten Philip by a blustering manner.
“That shows you don’t know me, Mr. Tucker!” returned our hero. “I give you fair warning that I shall run away the first chance I get.”