And Burton knew at once that the answer was merely prompted by a desire to shut off questioning! He tried to turn the conversation into another channel.
"Is that work you are doing an order?"
"Yes."
"What is it for?"
"Bookcase."
"What does Selby pay you for a piece of work like that?"
Ben did not open his lips to reply. He merely looked at Burton with a gaze like a blank wall.
"Unless he pays you a fair price," Burton continued, "I might be able to do something for you in some place where there is more demand for that sort of work."
An unmistakable gleam of interest came into Ben's eyes, though he did not answer. But Mrs. Bussey answered for him.
"Do you hear that, Ben? He'll get you better prices. I told you all along that Selby wasn't paying you enough."