“It’ll be very little trouble,” said Tom confidently. “All you’ve got to do is to tell me the price of the goods, and I’ll remember.”
“How do I know but you’d follow the example of the scamp that’s just left me, and purloin my money? Have you any recommendations?”
“No,” said Tom; “I forgot all about bringing any.”
“Don’t you know anybody in the town?”
“Yes; I know an Irishman—Mike Lawton—cook in an Irish hotel.”
“I don’t think he’ll do.”
“Then,” said Tom smiling, “I shall have to write a recommendation for myself. There’s nobody knows so much about my honesty and capacity as I do.”
Tom’s frankness had won upon the trader, and he was inclined to overlook the want of recommendations.
“Suppose I conclude to take you on trial,” he said, “what wages do you expect?”
Tom felt that in his circumstances he could not afford to bargain. It was all-important that he should get the place, for his experience taught him that they were not to be had easily.