"Wanting hasn't much to do with it, Mr. Antis," replied Eben. "If a thing has got to be done, it doesn't matter much, to my notion, whether one wants to do it or not."
Mr. Antis smiled. "That is a very rational way of looking at the subject, Eben. But do you feel as if you must go to work directly? Wouldn't it be better to wait a little till the right thing comes along?"
Eben smiled in his turn. "The right thing is just as likely to come along when I am at work as when I am doing nothing, Mr. Antis, isn't it?"
"True for you, Eben—just as likely, and likelier. Well, now, I will tell you what I was thinking of. We want a boy about the house to do chores; you know what I mean by that?"
"Yes, sir; to run errands, and take care of the cow, and work in the garden, and so on."
"Exactly. We are more than usually in want of such a boy just now, for Mrs. Antis is doing her own work, and needs a good deal of help, and if we were to try to have Tom Wilbur take the place, I know how that would be. He would be certain to be wanted at the mill just when he was most needed at the house. I am sure Mrs. Antis would like to have you about her. She likes pleasant, quiet people."
"She's got a right to," said Jeduthun. "She's a quiet, pleasant person herself."
"Could I board at home, sir? I think mother and Flora would like to have me at home, and I would help them a little at odd times."
"Why, yes, I suppose you could, if I could depend upon your being on hand early in the morning."
"And what wages would you give?"