"I suppose your parents are willing you should do this; I mean that they knew of your coming here?"
"Mother does, sir, of course. I never do any thing without telling her."
"Why not your father, too?"
"I want to surprise him. The people are poor; and so they can't give much salary. If I get the job, I'm going to buy a new buffalo robe. We've needed one for the sleigh a good while."
"Whew!" ejaculated Mr. Jones. "Will it ever be cold enough to need buffaloes?"
Dick laughed aloud, mentally resolving to tell his mother what a very pleasant man Mr. Jones was.
"I don't know what Mr. Jones will do," said Mr. Follinsby; "but if I were the chairman of the Committee, you should have the job. I approve of boys who tell their mothers every thing."
"Thank you, sir. There's one thing I haven't told mother yet. Last spring our hod got broken. If I make enough I want to get her a new one."
"That's a good boy. I guess you'll have enough besides the buffalo robe. If you don't, it wont be a very profitable job. Shall you gather the evergreen yourself?"
"Yes, sir, in the vacation at Thanksgiving. Mother says she thinks she shall have time to help me wind it evenings; and then I can keep it fresh down cellar. Do you think, Mr. Jones, I can get the job?"