"Oh no," replied Eben, suppressing a smile. "We were not saying a word about you, Mr. Wilbur. Jeduthun understands French, and I speak with him for practice—that's all, I assure you."
"I don't think either Eben or Jeduthun meant any offence," said Mr. Antis.
"Oh, well, if you like to stand such nonsense, I'm sure I don't care," returned Mr. Wilbur. "I'd just like to see any boy that worked for me pretending to talk French, that's all. That black fellow's a sight too big for his place, anyhow."
After this Jeduthun and Eben were more careful.
One day, as Eben passed the office door, Mr. Antis called him in. "I want to speak to you, Eben," said he. "I have just received a letter from Mr. Francis which concerns you. Sit down."
"I wonder what kink the old gentleman has got in his head now," thought Eben, but he said nothing, and sat down as desired.
"Mr. Francis has taken a fancy that we ought to have a watchman in the mill," continued Mr. Antis, unfolding the letter he held in his hand, "or at least somebody to sleep in the building. Here is what he says: 'I do not think it safe to leave the mill alone, now that there are so many robberies all over the country. I think we should have a watchman, or at least some one to sleep in the building. Perhaps young Fairchild would be willing to do the latter. There is a very decent bed-room on the floor above the office, if I remember rightly, and if he chooses he can fit it up from that furniture of mine which has been so long stored in the loft. He is a stout young fellow, and seems to be upright and trustworthy. You may suggest it to him, and if he agrees, you may as well give him what you used to give Barnard—forty dollars a month.'"
"That is quite an increase of wages, you see," said Mr. Antis, laying down the letter. "Really, I don't think there is much, if any, danger from robbers, and you might fix up a very nice, pretty little room. Why, Eben, you look very much pleased."
"I am," said Eben—"not so much about the money, though ten dollars more a month will help us a great deal through the winter, but I am so pleased to think—"
"That the old gentleman trusts you?" asked Mr. Antis, smiling, as Eben hesitated.