“Divil a bit, except to bile pratees,” answered Mike, with a grin, “but I’ll soon learn.”
“I don’t think I’ll come here to board till after you’ve learned, Mike.”
“Sure it isn’t any place for the likes of you, Mister Tom. It’s for chaps like me, and poor miners.”
“I don’t know about that, Mike. If I don’t get something to do in a week, I shall go up in a balloon.”
“Go up in a balloon!” ejaculated Mike, opening his eyes wide with astonishment.
“I mean that I shall get to the bottom of my purse. Do you mind telling me how much wages you get?”
“Three dollars a day and board,” said Mike.
“That’s good. Couldn’t you get me a place as cook?”
“It’s jokin’ you are.”
“I am not sure about that. I’ll take a place as cook or anything else rather than remain idle.”