"I would thank you, Sam Archer, if I thought your offer was a friendly one."
"What makes you think that it isn't."
"The feeling which I have reason to think you entertain for me, and your conduct in the past."
"You are too suspicious, Ben."
"If I find I am, I will apologize to you. It would be foolish for me to give up so good a position in order to accept a poor one, which is not all permanent."
"Well, Bradford, I must bid you good morning. Just write to me if you decide to accept."
"If I decide to accept I will."
"He's getting very impudent," said Sam to himself, "If I could only get him into the mill I could fix him. We'd let him stay two or three weeks, and then ship him. But he won't do it. Stay, I think of a way."
What the way was may be conjectured from a letter which Ben received three days later from his Aunt Jane:
"My Dear Nephew: I am feeling almost heart-broken. It is reported by one who saw you lately that you are looking very dissipated. I was afraid the temptations of the city were too much for you. You are too young to go away from home. I won't blame you too much, for I feel that you are weak rather than wicked. But I shall not feel comfortable till you are at home again. Don't hesitate to give up your place. I am assured that they will take you on again at the mill, and it will be much better for you to be at home with us, till you are older, and better able to resist temptation.