"Good morning, Bradford," said Sam, eyeing our hero curiously. "Are you going to work in the mill?"
"No," said Ben shortly.
"Perhaps old Taylor will give you employment."
"No doubt he would if he had occasion to employ any one. Mr. Taylor is a gentleman."
"Do you mean to say father isn't a gentleman?"
"You can draw your own conclusions."
Ben was not quite an angel, though he was a manly boy, and he felt pugnacious.
"I've a great mind to knock you down," said Sam.
"You may have the mind, but you haven't got the strength to do it," said Ben.
"I won't dirty my hands with touching you."