"I must thank you for carrying out my orders so intelligently," began the millionaire. "Without your assistance I might have found things in bad shape, I fear."
McNutt was reassured. The nabob would stand for bill No. 1, without a doubt.
"I tried fer to do my best, sir," he said.
"And you did very well," was the reply. "I hope you kept your expenditures well within bounds?"
The agent's heart sank at the question and the shrewd, alert look that accompanied it. Even millionaires do not allow themselves to be swindled, if they can help it. Bill No. 2 would be stiff enough; he might even have to knock a few dollars off from that.
"Most things is high in Millville," he faltered, "an' wages has gone up jest terr'ble. The boys don't seem to wanter do nuthin' without big pay."
"That is the case everywhere," responded Mr. Merrick, thoughtfully; "and between us, McNutt, I'm glad wages are better in these prosperous times. The man who works by the day should be well paid, for he has to pay well for his living. Adequately paid labor is the foundation of all prosperity."
Peggy smiled cheerfully. He was glad he had had the forethought to bring
Bill No. 1 along with him.
"Hosses is high, too," he remarked, complacently, "an' lumber an' nails is up. As fer the live-stock I bought fer ye, I found I had to pay like sixty for it."
"I suppose they overcharged you because a city man wanted the animals.
But of course you would not allow me to be robbed."