"I got paid better than you think, sir," said Ben. "Miss Nancy made it up to me."
"Did she? I am glad to hear it. She is a good woman. She understands better than her father the proper price of work."
"Yes, sir. Are you any relative to Deacon Sawyer?"
"No," said Mr. Manning, "but I have had a little business transaction with the deacon. He's pretty close in money matters."
"So people say here, sir."
"But I must do him justice, and add that you can rely implicitly upon his word. Well, Ben, what are your plans?"
"Only to find work of any kind, sir."
"How happened you to come to the hotel here?"
"I thought Mr. Brockton might possibly have something for me to do."
"Sawing wood, perhaps?"