As this thought occurred to him, he entered by the open door, and stepped into the office.
Mr. Brockton was not in, but, in an armchair at a window, Ben recognized Mr. Manning, the same gentleman whom he had seen two hours before at Deacon Sawyer's.
The recognition was mutual. Mr. Manning removed his cigar from his lips and said, with a smile:
"Your name is Benjamin, isn't it?"
"Yes sir."
"Have you come to spend some of the money you received from my friend, the deacon?"
"No, sir. It is all the money I have in the world, and I must take good care of it."
"Wages don't seem to be very high in Milltown," remarked Mr. Manning pleasantly, and he smiled again.
"Not for sawing and splitting wood, sir. They pay very well in the factory.
"Were you ever employed in the factory?"