"I do want it, of course," replied Eben, finding his voice. "You know I was just coming after it the day you hired Tom. It isn't that I don't like it where I am, but—"
"But you want to earn more money," said Mr. Antis.
"Yes, sir, and besides that, I would like to be learning something about the business. Maybe I can be a miller some day, if I can't be a doctor, and anyhow, I like to be learning all I can."
"Good for you!" said Mr. Antis. "I think you and I will suit as well in the mill as we have done in the house. I expect Mrs. Antis will be furious with me for taking you away from her."
"She won't need me so much now that she has Mary," said Eben, modestly. "Mrs. Antis has been very good to me. I shall never forget it. I guess, maybe, I can find time now and then to help her about her flower-garden."
"Very likely, though you will see we shall have busy times from now on to December. Are you good at figures, Eben?"
"I guess so. I have been twice through the arithmetic."
"That may be. I have seen people who had been through the algebra, and yet could not run up a column of figures correctly, or cast the interest on a note. However, that does not so much matter. You see, Eben, the thing is, I want somebody that I can trust—somebody that I can send over to Hobartown to the bank, or to the city, if necessary—somebody that I can trust with the team, or to collect accounts of the farmers when I cannot go myself. Jeduthun is just as honest and good as gold, but he can't be spared from the mill, and does not understand figures, and besides—I don't know why—he hates to have anything to do with money. Now, I believe that I can trust you. I have watched you carefully ever since you have been at our house, and I see that whatever you undertake to do you do thoroughly and well. I believe that, as the Scripture says, 'He that is faithful in the least is faithful also in much.' I am willing to trust you, and to pay you thirty dollars a month."
Eben's breath was almost taken away. "That is a great deal, Mr. Antis," said he. "I did not expect nearly so much."
"It is a great deal more than I gave Tom, I know, and I expect the old man will make a fuss about it, but I shall expect a great deal more of you than I did of Tom, and you will have more responsibility. Well, what do you say? Will you try it?"